Difference between revisions of "Binary"
From WLCS
PaulClayberg (talk | contribs) (→Binary) |
(No difference)
|
Latest revision as of 13:14, 19 September 2008
Binary
Binary code, or Machine Code, is the basic, lowest level of communication of data used by computers. It consists of a given number of bytes which contain 8 bits, or places, each. Binary is base 2 of a number, where all place values are powers of the number 2. For example, the number 3 in binary is 000000112, because there is one 2 plus one 1. Notice how 8 bits are used.
2's Complement
To represent negative integers, 2's complement is used. This is formed by flipping every bit (1's compliment) and adding 1. For example:
- To find -310 in base 2:
- 310 = 000000112
- One's complement: 111111002
- Add one: 111111012
- ∴ -310 = 111111012
- Q.E.D.