Question 1

What is the base of the binary number system used in digital computers?

Accepted Answer

Base 2. The binary system is a base-2 system because it uses only two distinct digits. These digits are 0 and 1, representing the off and on states of transistors. All digital data is eventually stored and processed in this format.

Question 2

Which mathematician is credited with the invention of the modern binary number system in 1679?

Accepted Answer

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz developed the modern binary system and published his findings in the 17th century. He believed that the numbers 0 and 1 could represent all logical concepts. His work laid the theoretical foundation for digital computing centuries later.

Question 3

What does a single '0' or '1' in a binary system represent in terms of data storage?

Accepted Answer

A Bit. A bit is the smallest unit of information in computing and is short for 'binary digit'. It can exist in only one of two possible states, typically 0 or 1. High and low voltages are used to physically represent these bits in circuits.

Question 4

How many bits are grouped together to form one standard 'Byte'?

Accepted Answer

8 bits. A byte is a standard unit of digital information that consists of eight individual bits. It is the basic unit used to represent a single character, such as a letter or a number. Most hardware architectures treat a byte as the smallest addressable unit of memory.

Question 5

In binary notation, what is the value of the decimal number 10?

Accepted Answer

1010. The decimal 10 is calculated as 8 + 2, which corresponds to the 4th and 2nd positions in binary. In 1010, the digits represent weights of 8, 4, 2, and 1 respectively. This positional system is fundamental to binary arithmetic.

Binary System — Set 1