Home >  Term: binary
binary

A base-2 numbering system using the digits 0 and 1 (as opposed to 10 digits, 0-9 in the decimal system). In computer systems, the binary digits are represented by two different voltages or currents, one corresponding to 0 and the other corresponding to 1. All computer programs are executed in binary form. Binary representation requires a greater number of digits than the base-10 decimal system more commonly used. For example, the base-10 number 254 is 11111110 in binary. The result of a binary multiplication contains the sum of digits of the original numbers: in binary: 10101111 x 11010100 = 10010000011101100 in decimal: 175 x 212 = 37,100 From right to left, the digits represent 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16384, 32768. Each digit is known as a bit. This example multiples two 8-bit numbers to produce a 16-bit result, a very common process in digital television equipment.

0 0

Creator

  • Delia
  •  (Platinum) 3716 points
  • 100% positive feedback
© 2025 CSOFT International, Ltd.