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Binary Number System
The word binary comes from 'Bi' meaning two. We see 'bi' in words such as ‘bicycle‘ (two wheels) or
‘binocular’ (two eyes). The binary numbers have the base of 2.
Tech Fact
A single binary digit (like '0' or ‘1’) is called a ‘bit’. For example, 11010 is five bits long. The word
bit is made up from the words 'binary digit’.
A computer is a machine made up of transistors, switches and other components. All these electronic
components are in two mutually exclusive states, either ON or OFF. The two binary digits represent
these two states. Every instruction given to a computer is converted into 0’s and 1’s so that it can be
understood and implemented by the computer. Binary language is therefore known as the machine
language.
A binary number is made up of only 0s and 1s.
Example of Binary Number: 110100
There is no 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 in Binary!
Name Size (bits) Examples
Bit 1 Single digit either 0 or 1
Nibble 4 Group of 4 digits either 0 or 1
Byte 8 Group of 8 digits either 0 or 1
Word 16 Group of 16 digits either 0 or 1
Tech Fact
If the last digit of a binary number is 1, the number is odd; if it is 0, the number is even.
For Example:
1101 represents an odd number (13)
10010 represents an even number (18)
Let us first learn how to form binary numbers.
As the binary number system consists of two digits 0 and 1 hence, its base is 2. Each digit or bit in
binary number system can be 0 or 1. A combination of binary digits may be used to represent different
quantities like 1001. The positional value of each digit in binary number is twice the place value or face
value of the digit of its right side. The weight of each position is a power of 2.
Number System 9

