[avmich]

Yes, but the point is to look for different representations, not necessarily use this specific one.

[necovek]

Yes, but the point is that getting to a different representation from a natural one (eg. binary one with computers or a decimal one for human use) is going to have some "external" overhead which is likely to negate the savings.

Yes, sometimes a neat trick like the one in the article of replacing one multiplication with substraction appears, but that is not as universal.