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Section 10.1 Binary Numbers

Subsection 10.1.1 Binary

Binary is a base-2 number system, in that each digit represents a power of 2. Then, each digit is a bit, being either 0 or 1.

Subsection 10.1.2 Converting from Decimal to Binary

For a number \(n\) is decimal, determine the highest power of 2 which is less than or equal to \(n\text{.}\)

Subsection 10.1.3 Operations in Binary

Addition in binary can be done just as elementary school addition with decimal numbers, with carries for digit sums which are 2 or greater.

Similarly, subtraction, with borrowing if necessary.

Subsection 10.1.4 Hexadecimal

Hexadecimal is base-16. It is more compact. The digits 10-15 are represented by A-F.

To convert binary to hexadecimal, separate the number into 4-digit blocks, adding leading 0's as necessary. Consider each block as a number from 0-15, and convert it into the hexadecimal equivalent. Then, append the hexadecimal digits to form the hexadecimal number.

To convert from hexadecimal to binary, convert each hexadecimal digit to a string of 4 binary digits, and append these 4-digit blocks to form the binary number.