binary number system

1. A method of representing numbers that has 2 as its base and uses only the digits 0 and 1. Each successive digit represents a power of 2. For example, 10011 represents (1 × 2 ⁴) + (0 × 2 ³) + (0 × 2 ²) + (1 × 2 ¹) + (1 × 2 ⁰), or 16 + 0 + 0 + 2 + 1, or 19.

Example Sentences

But by developing the binary number system, a way of representing numerical information using zeroes and 1s, he became the father of all computer coding.

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Using the binary number system represented by the dots opposite the planets, it can be concluded that the three dots above the female's raised arm represent the number six and probably indicate that the alien race has six-fingered hands.

Read more on Time Magazine Archive

This peculiarity, which was to some extent shared by the Tasmanians, the island tribes of the Torres Straits, and other aboriginal races of that region, has by some writers been regarded as peculiar to their part of the world; as though a binary number system were not to be found elsewhere.

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