|  | 1.3 | Binary Numbers
| 1.3.4 | The Base 2 (binary) number system

Computers recognize and process data using the binary (Base 2) numbering system. The binary number system uses only two symbols – 0 and 1 – instead of the ten symbols used in the decimal numbering system. The position, or place, of each digit represents the number 2 – the base number – raised to a power (exponent), based on its position (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, etc.)

Example

: :

10110 = (1 x 24 = 16) + (0 x 23 = 0) + (1 x 22 =4) + (1 x 21 = 2) + (0 x 20 = 0) = 22 (16 + 0 + 4 + 2 + 0)

If you read the binary number (10110) from left to right, you see that there is a 1 in the 16s position, a 0 in the 8s position, a 1 in the 4s position, a 1 in the 2s position, and a 0 in the 1s position, which adds up to decimal number 22.

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