Binary

From Computer Science Wiki
This is a basic concept in computer science

In mathematics and digital electronics, a binary number is a number expressed in the binary numeral system or base-2 numeral system which represents numeric values using two different symbols: typically 0 (zero) and 1 (one). The base-2 system is a positional notation with a radix of 2. Because of its straightforward implementation in digital electronic circuitry using logic gates, the binary system is used internally by almost all modern computers and computer-based devices. Each digit is referred to as a bit.[1]


Binary[edit]

This is one of the better videos I've seen on binary.


Binary Translation table[edit]

I find it helpful to draw this table when I must convert binary to base 10.

128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1


How to add two binary numbers[edit]

Adding binary is straight forward. Line up the numbers as you would if you were adding base-10 numbers.

Remember this:

0 + 0 = 0

0 + 1 = 1

1 + 0 = 1

1 + 1 = 10, so write a 0 and carry the 1 to the next column.

What you must know[edit]

You must be able to define the following terms:

Define the term: bit? Click the expand link --->

A bit, is the basic unit of information in computing and digital communications. A bit can have only one of two values, and may therefore be physically implemented with a two-state device. These values are most commonly represented as either a 0 or 1. The term bit is a portmanteau of binary digit.[2]

byte

binary

denary/decimal

hexadecimal

Click here to test yourself

Why is this so important?[edit]

If we can represent numbers as 1 and 0, why not represent numbers as on and off? If we can represent letters as numbers (A = 65, B = 66) couldn't we also say A = 01000001 and B = 01000010?

Binary representation is the essence of how computers work.

Resources[edit]

Click here for a slide deck that covers this topic nicely