Binary, Bits, and Data Representation

Manual: General · Subject: Computer Science

Learn how computers store information using bits, binary numbers, and simple encodings.

How computers represent information

At the lowest level, computers store information using bits. A bit is a value that can be either $0$ or $1$ . Eight bits make one byte.

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Why binary?

Electronic circuits are easier to build reliably when each signal has only two states, such as off and on.

Binary is a base- $2$ number system. The digits are $0$ and $1$ . For example, $101_2$ means $1\cdot 2^2 + 0\cdot 2^1 + 1\cdot 2^0 = 5_{10}$ .

How many bits are in one byte?

2 4 8 16

What is the decimal value of $100_2$ ?

Representation terms

Bit

A single binary digit,

0

1

Byte

A group of 8 bits

Binary

A base-

2

numeral system

Encoding

A way to represent information using bits

Which sequence is valid binary?

1021 110010 2345 18

Why do computers use bits?