How are binary numbers read?

Answer 1

Binary numbers follow a place-value rule just like ordinary decimal numbers. The difference is that instead of each digit indicating a power of 10 ("base 10"), binary numbers use powers of 2 ("base 2"). Also, because the digits used can't go any higher than one less than the base, 0 and 1 are the only digits in a binary number just like 0 ... 9 (=10-1) are the only digits in a base 10 number.

To convert a binary number to an ordinary base-10 number, start reading from the right. Multiply each digit by the power of two corresponding to that position, starting with the zero power. For example, if you had the binary number 100011 you would convert it like this. Remember, conversion starts from the right side so the digits are read and multiplied in the order 1-1-0-0-0-1

1 x 20 + 1 x 21 + 0 x 22 + 0 x 23 + 0 x 24 + 1 x 25 which translates to

1x1 + 1x2 + 0x4 + 0x8 + 0x16 + 1x32

So, 100011 in binary is the same as 35 in ordinary decimal numbers.