Binary..back by popular demand!

Discussion in 'A+' started by Malnomates, May 12, 2006.

  1. Malnomates

    Malnomates Megabyte Poster

    667
    25
    67
    One subject that sends shivers down the spine of the budding A+ techie is BINARY and how it works!

    We learn to count using ten numbers i.e 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9..

    Binary does away with all but two of those numbers and uses just 1 & 0.

    Lets take a binary number,in this case 1101.What the bejeebers does 1101 mean?.Read on..

    Split your binary number into it's seperate 1,s and 0,s.In this example we have 4 numbers,1,1,0 and 1,This makes 1101 a 4 -bit binary number,in the same way 11011101 would be an 8-bit binary number.

    Think of a 1 as being ON and 0 as being OFF,you see why in a moment!

    Binary counts from right to left and each digit represents a number we are more familiar with,numbers like 256,128,64,32,16,8,4,2,1.Hold on!You see a pattern there?YUP..the rightmost digit is 1,then going from right to left each number is doubled..look again 256,128,64,32,16,8,4,2,1.Remember this,it's VERY important.

    Ok,but what does that mean for our binary number 1101?

    Well if each digit represents a number then 1101 would represent the following....

    ... 1 1 0 1
    ... 8 4 2 1

    Since each 1 means ON and each 0 means off we have 8 which is ON,4 which is ON,2 which is OFF and 1 which is ON---1101.

    Now add the ON digits together and we have 8+4+1 (look at 2,it's binary number is 0,so it's OFF),we have a total of 13

    So 1101 is the binary equivalent of 13..oila!

    Try 110101.
    This is a 6 bit binary number,but we knew that didn't we?

    remember to count from right to left and represent your binary digits (on or off,1 or 0) with their equivalent numbers..as follows..


    ... 1 1 0 1 0 1
    = 32 16 8 4 2 1

    = on on off on off on

    = 32 +16 +0 +4 +0 +1

    = 53

    110101=53

    Of course you could have a lot more binary bits and a lot more to add up,but the principle applies throughout.

    Tip:-Since 1 is the only odd number in binary,all binary numbers representing an odd number will end in 1.

    Hope this helps..
     
    Certifications: A+ Network+
  2. phoenix510

    phoenix510 Byte Poster

    100
    1
    27
    Thanks malnomates, goes hand in hand with your hex post.
     
    Certifications: ECDL, MOS WORD & Excel, MCDST
    WIP: A+ & 70-270
  3. Malnomates

    Malnomates Megabyte Poster

    667
    25
    67
    Glad to help mate.. 8)
     
    Certifications: A+ Network+
  4. rwilmot

    rwilmot Nibble Poster

    62
    0
    28
    Can i have the address for the Hex post please?
     
    Certifications: Village Idiot Award
    WIP: working towards everything..
  5. Malnomates

    Malnomates Megabyte Poster

    667
    25
    67

Share This Page

Loading...
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.