Binary numbers - GCSE Computer Science Definition

Binary numbers are a fundamental concept in computing and digital systems, consisting only of the digits 0 and 1, known as bits. Unlike the decimal system, which is based on ten digits (0 through 9), the binary system is base-2 and is the language that computers and digital devices use to process data and execute instructions. Each binary digit is a position in a sequence, and each position represents a power of two, starting from the rightmost digit, which is 2^0. Understanding binary numbers is crucial for GCSE Computer Science students as it forms the basis for more advanced topics like data representation, binary arithmetic, and logical operations within a computer.