Why is Binary Number Only Two Digits? Listen to the Explanation!

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What do you know about binary numbers? Typically, binary numbers are learned when receiving education at school. All digital devices, including mobile phone , is the direct application of binary numbers.

Binary numbers are indeed a unique system of numerical characters. Unlike other number systems, binary numbers only use two digits when in use. Then, why does binary number only use two digits?

1. Brief history of binary numbers

The discovery of the binary number system is inseparable from the contributions of Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. The book entitled Mathematics District Mentioning the physicist and mathematician from Germany who developed the fundamental theory of binary numbers in the 17th century.

Although, in the past, binary numbers were not used for advanced digital systems as they are now. With the development of time, binary numbers can be converted into octal, decimal, or ASCII code forms. This conversion makes every activity easier without having to memorize the binary number table.

2. What is binary number?

Binary numbers are a number system that uses the digits 1 and 0 in its application. The use of these two digit values makes this number system referred to as a base-two number system. Another name for binary numbers is bit , acronym from binary digit .

A bit is also used as the smallest unit of binary numbers in computers. In digital systems, binary numbers are grouped into 1 byte The value of binary code indicates the size in the computer system, some of which are:

• 1 Byte = 8 bit (8 binary digits)

• 1 Kilobyte (KB) = 1000 Bytes = 8000 bits

• 1 Mega Byte (MB) = 1,000,000 Bytes (1000 KB) = 8,000,000 bits

• 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1,000,000,000 Bytes (1000 MB) = 8 billion bits

• 1 Terabyte (TB) = 1 Trillion Bytes (1000 GB) = 8 Trillion bits

3. The reason binary numbers have only two digits is because they are based on a base-2 numeral system.

Why is binary number system composed of only two digits? Because computers only understand commands based on the rules of the binary number system. The book titled Digital Technology Explaining the digital system, it only understands conditions stated with the numbers 0 (off) and 1 (on). Consisting of two digits, this number system is called binary (bi=two).

Binary numbers are used as the foundation of all modern digital computer systems. Pocket calculators also use the binary number system. The operation of digital systems involves processing discrete on-off states, and subsequently pouring information into the form of numbers, digits, letters, and symbols. Digital systems also store processed data.

4. How to convert decimal numbers to binary

Decimal numbers are converted to binary form to make it easier for computers to execute commands. Next, the binary numbers will be processed by the 'computer brain' or microprocessor The method of converting decimal to binary by dividing equally is called double-dabbel The method for converting decimal numbers to binary includes the following steps:

1. Division only applies to integers.

2. Divide the decimal number by 2. Don't forget to write the remainder.

3. Continue repeatedly until the quotient is no longer greater than 0.

4. Arrange the remainder in order from the last division to the beginning.

Contoh : Convert the number 28 to binary form!

Jawab :

28 : 2 = 14 remainder 0

14 : 2 = 7 remainder 0

7 : 2 = 3 remainder 1

3 : 2 = 1 remainder 1

1 : 2 = 0 remainder 1

So, the binary number result of the number 28 is 11100.

That's why binary numbers only consist of two digits. We can't escape the application of binary numbers in our lives. Besides binary numbers, other number systems also play an important role in daily activities.

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