Real numbers in the R4–D4 computer are stored in the format

SEEM M M M M₄

where all the digits, including the exponent, are in base 4. The mantissa is stored as sign and magnitude, where the sign is 0 for a positive number and 3 for a negative number. The implied quadrinary (base 4!) point is at the beginning of the mantissa:

.M M M M M

a. If you know that the exponent is stored in an excess-something format, what would be a good choice of value for “something”?

b. Convert the real, decimal number 16.5 to base 4, and show its representation in the format of the R4–D4 computer. Use the excess value that you determined in part (a).