Binary Number System
The Binary Number System, also known as the base-2 system, uses only two digits, '0' and '1', to represent numbers. It forms the fundamental basis for how computers process and store data.
For example, the binary number (11001)₂ corresponds to the decimal number 25.
The word binary is derived from the word "bi," which is Latin for "two,". But what makes it so essential, and how does it work? This article will dive deep into binary numbers, binary decimal number conversion and vice versa, 1's and 2's complements, and how they are used in computer systems.
There are generally various types of number systems, and among them, the four major ones are,
- Binary Number System (Base 2)
- Octal Number System (Base 8)
- Decimal Number System (Base 10)
- Hexadecimal Number System (Base 16)
Binary Number Table
Given below is the decimal number and the binary equivalent of that number.
Binary to Decimal Conversion
A binary number is converted into a decimal number by multiplying each digit of the binary number by the power of either 1 or 0 to the corresponding power of 2. Let us consider that a binary number has n digits, B = an-1...a3a2a1a0. Now, the corresponding decimal number is given as
D = (an-1 × 2n-1) +...+(a3 × 23) + (a2 × 22) + (a1 × 21) + (a0 × 20)
Let us go through an example to understand the concept better.
Example: Convert (10011)2 to a decimal number.
Solution:
The given binary number is (10011)2.
(10011)2 = (1 × 24) + (0 × 23) + (0 × 22) + (1 × 21) + (1 × 20)
= 16 + 0 + 0 + 2 + 1 = (19)10
Hence, the binary number (10011)2 is expressed as (19)10.
Decimal to Binary Conversion
A decimal number is converted into a binary number by dividing the given decimal number by 2 continuously until the quotient becomes 0, and then the remainders are written from bottom to top.
Let us go through an example to understand the concept better.
Example: Convert (28)10 into a binary number.
Solution:
Hence, (28)10 is expressed as (11100)2.
Arithmetic Operations on Binary Numbers
We can easily perform various operations on Binary Numbers. Various arithmetic operations on the Binary number include,
- Binary Addition
- Binary Subtraction
- Binary Multiplication
- Binary Division
Now, let's learn about the same in detail.
Binary Addition
The result of the addition of two binary numbers is also a binary number. To obtain the result of the addition of two binary numbers, we have to add the digits of the binary numbers digit by digit. The table below shows the rules of binary addition.
Binary Number (1) | Binary Number (2) | Addition | Carry |
|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Binary Subtraction
The result of the subtraction of two binary numbers is also a binary number. To obtain the result of the subtraction of two binary numbers, we have to subtract the digits of the binary numbers digit by digit. The table below shows the rule of binary subtraction.
Binary Number (1) | Binary Number (2) | Subtraction | Borrow |
|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Binary Multiplication
The multiplication process of binary numbers is similar to the multiplication of decimal numbers. The rules for multiplying any two binary numbers are given in the table.
Binary Number (1) | Binary Number (2) | Multiplication |
|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 | 1 | 0 |
1 | 0 | 0 |
1 | 1 | 1 |
Binary Division
The division method for binary numbers is similar to that of the decimal number division method. Let us go through an example to understand the concept better.
Example: Divide (11011)2 by (11)2.
Solution:
1's and 2's Complement of a Binary Number
- 1's Complement of a Binary Number is obtained by inverting the digits of the binary number.
Example: Find the 1's complement of (10011)2.
Solution:
Given Binary Number is (10011)2
Now, to find its 1's complement, we have to invert the digits of the given number.
To find the 1's complement of a binary number, you simply flip all the bits:
Thus, 1's complement of (10011)2 is (01100)2
- 2's Complement of a Binary Number is obtained by inverting the digits of the binary number and then adding 1 to the least significant bit.
Example: Find the 2's complement of (1011)2.
Solution:
Given Binary Number is (1011)2
To find the 2's complement, first find its 1's complement, i.e., (0100)2
Now, by adding 1 to the least significant bit, we get (0101)2
Hence, the 2's complement of (1011)2 is (0101)2
Uses of the Binary Number System
Binary Number Systems are used for various purposes, and the most important use of the binary number system is,
- Binary Number System is used in all Digital Electronics for performing various operations.
- Programming Languages use the Binary Number System for encoding and decoding data.
- Binary Number System is used in Data Sciences for various purposes, etc.
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Solved Example of the Binary Number System
Example 1: Convert the Decimal Number (98)10 into Binary.
Solution:
Thus, Binary Number for (98)10 is equal to (1100010)2
Example 2: Convert the Binary Number (1010101)2 to a decimal Number.
Solution:
Given Binary Number, (1010101)2
= (1 × 20) + (0 × 21) + (1 × 22) + (0 × 23) + (1 × 24) + (0 × 25) + (1 ×26)
= 1 + 0 + 4 + 0 + 16 + 0 + 64
= (85)10Thus, Binary Number (1010101)2 is equal to (85)10 in decimal system.
Example 3: Divide (11110)2 by (101)2.
Solution:
Example 4: Add (11011)2 and (10100)2.
Solution:
Hence, (11011)2 + (10100)2 = (101111)2
Example 5: Subtract (11010)2 and (10110)2.
Solution:
Hence, (11010)2 - (10110)2 = (00100)2
Example 6: Multiply (1110)2 and (1001)2.
Solution:
Thus, (1110)2 × (1001)2 = (1111110)2
Practice Problem Based on Binary Number
Question 1. Convert the decimal number (98)₁₀ into binary.
Question 2. Divide the binary number (11110)₂ by (101)₂
Question 3. Find the 2's complement of the binary number (1011)₂.
Question 4. Multiply the binary numbers (1110)₂ and (1001)₂.
Question 5. Subtract the binary numbers (11010)₂ and (10110)₂.
Question 6. Add the binary numbers (11011)₂ and (10100)₂.
Answer:-
1. (1100010)2, 2. (110)2, 3. (0101)2, 4. (1111110)2, 5. (00100)2, 6. (101111)2
