We normally write numbers in the Base 10 numerical system. Computer processors. however. can recognise only the on or off state of the transistors in the chip. This leads to the need for a compatible system of numerical notation. The binary system is a two-digit numerical system. or a Base 2 system.

comprising 1 and 0 (zero). This is much easier for computer systems to manipulate. as the on and off states are easily represented as 1 or O. And a combination of on and off switches would be the equivalent of a number. a letter. or any other character or group of characters. The number 110 (one-onezero). for example. is the binary form of the base 10 number 6.