Understanding Binary: The Essential Language of Computers
Learn how binary represents information with just two states: 0 and 1. Discover its role in computer processing.
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Binary is a way of representing information using only two states: 0 and 1. These are called bits. Computers use binary to process data because it aligns with their electrical circuits, which have on (1) and off (0) states. For example, the binary for the decimal number 5 is 101. Each bit represents a power of 2, with the rightmost bit being 2^0, the next 2^1, and so on.
FAQs & Answers
- What is binary in simple terms? Binary is a system of representing numbers using only two digits: 0 and 1, which is the foundational language of computers.
- Why do computers use binary? Computers use binary as it aligns with electrical circuits, which can be in two states: on (1) and off (0).
- How do binary numbers work? Binary numbers work by assigning a power of 2 to each bit, with the rightmost bit representing 2^0, allowing for various numerical representations.