Fuente: Wipo "digitalization" A data processing system having a central processing unit (CPU) capable of performing binary and decimal arithmetic software instructions is disclosed. Also disclosed is a method and apparatus for speeding conversion of a number in binary format to decimal format by first stripping leading zeroes before the highest order non-zero bit of the binary number, and only allocating enough memory storage bits to hold the resultant decimal number. A multiplexer is used to apply a partial sum during conversion concurrently to both inputs of an adder for doubling.