Binary — CS Wiki

THE IDEA IN A MINUTE

✳

The number system of 0s and 1s that computers use.

Start with the idea

Binary is a base-2 number system that uses only two digits: 0 and 1. Each digit is called a bit.

Computers use binary because their electronic parts have two states, such as on and off. Every number, letter, picture and song is stored as a long pattern of bits.

For example, the decimal number 5 is written as 101 in binary, because it is 4 + 0 + 1.

SEE IT ANOTHER WAY

A visual model

MAKE IT CONCRETE

One small example.

EXAMPLE

PAUSE & THINK

Quick check.

Choose the best answer, then see why.

YOUR PRIVATE FIELD NOTES

Save a thought for later.

Write down a question, a connection, or the one idea you want to remember. This note stays in your browser.

A note about this guide

A TINY GLOSSARY

Key terms.

KEEP THE MOMENTUM

Suggested next lesson.

A next idea, chosen from this guide’s connections and what you have already explored.

GO A LITTLE FURTHER