Binary value

Binary Value

A binary value refers to a value of a binary digit, which can be either 0 or 1. Binary values are the fundamental building blocks of binary systems, which form the basis of computer science and digital electronics.

Overview

In the binary system, numbers are represented using only the two digits 0 and 1. Each digit in this system is referred to as a bit. The term "bit" is a portmanteau of "binary digit". The binary system is used internally by almost all modern computers and computer-based devices because it is straightforward to implement with digital electronic circuitry.

Binary Values in Computing

In computing, binary values are used to represent all data and instructions. A binary number is made up of binary values, also known as bits. Each bit represents a power of two. For example, the binary number 101 represents the decimal number 5, because 2^2 (the third position from the right, starting from 0) is present, and 2^0 (the first position) is present, and 2^1 (the second position) is not present. Adding these up gives us the decimal number 5.

Binary Values in Digital Electronics

In digital electronics, a binary value is often expressed as either a voltage or a current. In a binary digital circuit, a voltage close to a designated reference voltage, usually 0 V, represents a binary 0, while a voltage well above the reference represents a binary 1.

Binary Values in Mathematics

In mathematics, particularly in boolean algebra, binary values represent the truth values true and false or the logical operators AND, OR and NOT.

See Also

• Binary number
• Bit
• Boolean algebra
• Digital electronics
• Computer science