The "number of symbols" in a data representation refers to the Base or Radix of the number system.
1. Identifying the Bases:
• Binary (A): Base 2. Uses 2 symbols: $\{0, 1\}$.
• Penta (D): Base 5. Uses 5 symbols: $\{0, 1, 2, 3, 4\}$.
• Octal (C): Base 8. Uses 8 symbols: $\{0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7\}$.
• Hexadecimal (B): Base 16. Uses 16 symbols: $\{0 \text{--} 9, A \text{--} F\}$.
2. Sorting in Increasing Order:
Comparing the bases: $2 < 5 < 8 < 16$.
This gives the sequence: Binary (A) $\to$ Penta (D) $\to$ Octal (C) $\to$ Hexadecimal (B).
3. Final Logic:
The sequence of identifiers is A, D, C, B, which is Option (1).