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A bit is a single digit in binary - the system that a computer uses to count. As humans we use a number system called Denary or Decimal. This means that each column of numbers represents a power of 10, moving from right to left.

For example:

When we write a number, (512 for example) what we are really saying is:

5 1 2

(5 multiplied by 100) + (1 multiplied by 10) + 2 = 512

It's commonly believed that we use 10 as the base for our number system because we learned to count on our fingers (+ thumbs). Most of the time we have 10 digits on both hands to count on.

Computers of course, don't have hands so they have to count a different way - using electrical switches that are either on or off (just like your finger might be up or down if you were counting on them).

So computers count using a number system that's based on the number 2 - because a simple switch can only have two states - on or off.

A bit is one of those simple switches. It can have one of only two possible values - 1 or 0.

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Brandyn Cronin

Lvl 10
3y ago

What else can I help you with?