What is a key characteristic of the octal system?

The octal system is characterized by its use of eight distinct digits, which are 0 through 7. This numbering system is a base-8 system, meaning that each place value represents a power of eight. It is often utilized in computer science and digital electronics because it provides a more compact representation of binary numbers, as each octal digit corresponds to exactly three binary digits (bits). The octal system simplifies binary arithmetic and is easier for humans to read compared to long strings of binary digits. Consequently, the correct answer identifies this fundamental aspect of the octal numbering system.