Introduction to the Binary System - JSS2 Computer Studies Lesson Note

The binary system is a fundamental concept in computer science that involves using only two digits, 0 and 1, to represent numerical values. Unlike our familiar decimal system (base 10), which uses 10 digits (0-9), the binary system operates with the simplicity of two, making it the foundation of all digital data representation in computers.

In the binary system, each digit is called a "bit," short for binary digit. A group of 8 bits is known as a "byte." The position of each bit in a binary number carries a specific weight, just like in the decimal system. However, in binary, each bit's weight is a power of 2. Starting from the rightmost bit, the weights increase in powers of 2: 2⁰ , 2¹, 2², and so on. For example, the binary number "1101" can be understood as follows: 1×2³ + 1×2² + 0×2¹ + 1×2⁰ = 8 + 4 + 0 + 1 = 13