2. Why use binary? The computer is a two-state (binary) machine. All components inside a computer and all backing storage devices have only two states. e.g. • a switch is on or off. • a transistor conducts or does not conduct. • a signal is a pulse of electricity or no pulse. • an area of a magnetic disk is positive or negative. • with laser technology light can reflect in two different directions. Binary, using the numbers 0 and 1, can be represented by a two state system.
3. 1. A simple two-state system is less complex to represent using electrical signals than our decimal ten-state system. Degradation in signal levels does not corrupt the information as easily and so there is less chance of errors. 2. A two state system is easy to store magnetically and optically. 3. Calculations are simpler. There are only four rules for addition. These can be easily built into the electronic circuits. 0 + 0 = 0 + 1 = 1 + 0 = 1 + 1 = 0 1 1 0 carry 1 Advantages of using Binary
4. 1. A binary number has more digits than its decimal equivalent. i.e. it will be longer. This is not a problem for the computer but it makes it harder for us to read and work with. 2. Binary is more difficult than decimal for us to read as we are more used to decimal. Disadvantages of using Binary
