You might think counting in binary is hard but its not. Like first talk about what binary is. Binary is a number system that just use a 1 or 0 this can also be called on or off. All computer run using binary so if you think about all your computer is doing right now is turning off and on a lot, it also used in networking a lot.Now let move on to how to count using binary. What do you need to know to get started. Well binary has a base of two where decimal has base of 10. You also need to know that in binary we actual count the zero. So lets get start.
When counting in binary we only count where this is a 1. each position has a value by that I mean the first position is 2^0 the next is 2^1 and so on. But we need to keep in mind that unlike reading where we go left to right, when counting binary we go right to left( this is the hard part you will find your self a lot of the time going left to right). To count we need to find all the value for the position where there is a one then add them all up together like the following example:
1 |1 |1 |1
2^3|2^2|2^1|2^0 =15 (1+2+4+8 = 15)
1 |0 |0 |1
2^3|2^2|2^1|2^0 =9 (1+8 =9)
0 = 0
1= 1
2= 10
3 = 11
4=100
5=101
6=110
7=111
255= 11111111
So lets go through an example where we are given some binary number and need it in decimal form:
101010111
Our first step would be to find the values of the position where there are ones
1+2+4+16+64+256
Now we can add them all together
1+2+4+16+64+256=343
As you see it is not hard to count in binary it actually easy. If you are still have trouble with counting and changing it to decimal. I will be having a video put in the next week that will help. Just don't give keep trying and you will get it.
Some upcoming post to keep your eye out for will be networking 101, How to convert to hex and Digital system 101. Big News:
I plan on developing some labs and course around binary and much more. All the labs you will be able to do at home. ( Keep in mind you may need to buy parts to do them but we will be building everything need at a low cost)
