Number Sets

Binary Numeral System

Positional numeral system that groups objects by two and only uses the digits 0 and 1.
The binary numeral system is a base 2 system. However, in the binary system, the digit 2 does not exist. The binary numeral system is also a positional numeral system like the one that we can use in the decimal numeral system.

Notation

In some contexts, to distinguish a number written in binary notation from a number written in decimal notation, we use an index, like this:  [latex]1101011_2 = 107_{10}[/latex] or even [latex]1101011_{deux}=107_{dix}[/latex].

Example

The binary number 1101011 can be translated to base 10 like this: [latex](1 × 2^6)+(1 × 2^5)+(0 × 2^4)+(1 × 2^3)+(0 × 2^2)+(1 × 2^1)+(1 × 2^0) = 107 [/latex]

Educational Note

The binary numeral system is the foundation of computer systems: 1 → closed circuit, 0 → open circuit. It’s also a logical system with two values that are either true (1) or false (0), often used in propositional algebra.

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