A Binary Number is made up of only 0s and 1s, for example 1101. It is the way by which computers store data. For example, the number 4 is stored in a computer as 0100.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to

  1. Explain the Binary Number System
  2. Express a number in Binary Number System
  3. Perform Binary Addition and Subtraction

Estimated duration : 20 min

Lesson 1 of 5: Binary Number System

Basics of Binary Number System

binary.jpg

Why do we need to understand how the binary number system, represented by 1 and 0, works?

Well, all computer data representations are in terms of 1 and 0. For example,

  1. Data stored in computers are represented in bytes, which is denoted by 1 and 0 in transistors. A transistor is a tiny switch that is activated by the electronic signals it receives.
  2. Data transmitted through network by software protocol such as TCP/IP are also represented in certain binary representation formats.

Place values

placevalues.png

Just like the decimal number system which uses place values in  powers of 10,  the binary number system uses place value in powers of 2, as shown above.

Lesson 2 of 5: Binary Addition

How do we add 2 binary numbers? Click on the video below to find out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgklPQ8rbkg