Binary is the foundation of how computers represent and process information.
Binary uses only two digits, 0 and 1, to represent all data and programs and to execute all logic.
Due to its simplicity and compatibility with the electronic nature of computers, binary is used extensively in computing systems.
How many digits are used in the binary system?
Why Computers Use Binary: Reliability
Binary is more reliable for communication because it simplifies the transmission process.
Unlike using varying levels of brightness or other analog methods, binary uses "on" and "off" states, which are less affected by interference, distance, or environmental conditions.
Data integrity is enhanced by using binary systems, which are known for their .
Why Computers Use Binary: Ease of Storage
Storing data in binary is straightforward. It doesn't require converting between different formats, making it easy to store data reliably on various media, such as punch cards, CDs, DVDs, and magnetic hard disks.
Ease of is one of the primary benefits of using binary data formats.
Why Computers Use Binary: Efficiency with Electrical Circuits
Binary aligns perfectly with electrical circuits, where "on" represents a closed circuit, and "off" represents an open circuit. This simplicity is crucial for the speed and efficiency of computers, which use transistors and logic gates to perform complex calculations.
Which of the following is a benefit of using binary in computers?
Why Computers Use Binary: Mathematical Operations
Binary allows computers to perform mathematical operations efficiently, especially when dealing with powers of 2, like doubling or halving values. Shifting binary digits left or right can quickly achieve these operations.
Binary mathematical operations can be conducted with basic like addition and subtraction.
Which of the following is a disadvantage of using binary in computers?
Bits, Nibbles, and Bytes
In binary, the smallest unit of information is called a "bit" (short for "binary digit"). A bit can represent either a 0 or a 1. It's the basic building block of all digital data.
A "nibble" is a unit of information consisting of four bits. Since each bit can have two possible values (0 or 1), there are a total of 16 possible combinations of four bits (2^4 = 16). Therefore, a nibble can represent any number from 0 to 15.
A "byte" is a unit of information consisting of eight bits. With eight bits, there are 256 possible combinations (2^8 = 256), allowing for the representation of numbers from 0 to 255Binary
How many bits make up a byte?
The smallest unit of data in binary is a .
A sequence of 8 bits is known as a .
Encodings
Some numbers can't easily be represented in binary and need special attention.
Negative numbers - usually represented using Two's Complement binary
Real numbers - any number with a decimal place is usually represented using floating point binary
Currency - Binary Coded Decimal is often used to represent time or date data and on calculators.
