5150
5150 is the California code for an involuntary psychiatric hold, and the name of a Van Halen album.
- Even
- Composite
Where 5150 fits
Why 5150 is special
The section authorises a 72-hour detention for psychiatric evaluation. Its use in music and slang far outside California is why the number is recognised by people who have no idea it is a statute reference.
Same number, different meanings
How 5150 is understood across different contexts — never implying one meaning because of another.
- Mathematics
The section authorises a 72-hour detention for psychiatric evaluation. Its use in music and slang far outside California is why the number is recognised by people who have no idea it is a statute reference.
- Technology & computing
The IBM 5150, released in August 1981, used off-the-shelf components and a published technical reference, which allowed compatible machines to be built by other manufacturers.
- Law & regulation
Section 5150 permits a 72-hour involuntary psychiatric hold in California. The number entered general American slang through music and film, which means it is widely recognised and widely misunderstood — it describes an assessment period, not a diagnosis.
5150 is part of
Factors & digit properties
- Divisors (12)
- 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 103, 206, 515, 1030, 2575, 5150
- Prime factorisation
- 2 × 5^2 × 103
- Digit sum
- 11
- Digital root
- 2
Representations
- Decimal
- 5150
- Scientific notation
- 5.150 × 10^3
Roman numerals
Roman numerals as modelled here goes up to 3,999.
Binary
1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0
1 × 4,096 + 0 × 2,048 + 1 × 1,024 + 0 × 512 + 0 × 256 + 0 × 128 + 0 × 64 + 0 × 32 + 1 × 16 + 1 × 8 + 1 × 4 + 1 × 2 + 0 × 1 = 5,150
Octal
1 2 0 3 6
1 × 4,096 + 2 × 512 + 0 × 64 + 3 × 8 + 6 × 1 = 5,150
Hexadecimal
1 4 1 e
1 × 4,096 + 4 × 256 + 1 × 16 + e × 1 = 5,150
Read as powers of two: 4,096 + 1,024 + 16 + 8 + 4 + 2 = 5,150.
In historical numeral systems
Egyptian
5 lotuses, 1 coil of rope, 5 hobbles
5 × 1,000 + 1 × 100 + 5 × 10 = 5,150. The signs are simply repeated and added; where they sit on the line is a matter of layout, not value.
Systems that simply cannot reach this value are left out. Where a script needs a font most readers do not have, the reading is given instead of the glyphs — see number systems for each system in full.
Other mathematical patterns
- Deficient number
Related numbers & connections
The IBM 5150 is a model number that labels the original IBM PC, an identifier now better known than the machine's own name.
The XT added a hard disk as standard, which moved the IBM PC from hobby object to office equipment.
View 5160 →Technology & computing
The IBM 5150, released in August 1981, used off-the-shelf components and a published technical reference, which allowed compatible machines to be built by other manufacturers.
DocumentedTechnology & computingGeography: United StatesPeriod: 1981
Law & regulation
Section 5150 permits a 72-hour involuntary psychiatric hold in California. The number entered general American slang through music and film, which means it is widely recognised and widely misunderstood — it describes an assessment period, not a diagnosis.
DocumentedLaw & regulationGeography: California, United States
Common questions
Is 5150 a prime number?
No, 5150 is not prime.
What are the factors of 5150?
The factors of 5150 are 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 103, 206, 515, 1030, 2575, 5150.
About this page's data
Mathematical facts:computed directly from the number's value — nothing to source or verify externally.
Contextual records: 2 reviewer-confirmed records, sourced and reviewed before publication.
Last reviewed: 15 July 2026