Question

How many bits would need to show on a binary odometer if you wanted to have the ability to count up to 500?

Answer 1

The binary system count 0 and before shifting left.
Therefore repeated divisions of 500 by 2 will yield the bits as reminders.

500/2 = 250 R 0
250/2 = 125 R 0
125/2 = 62 R 1
62/2 = 31 R 0
31/2 = 15 R 1
15/2 = 7 R 1
7/2 = 3 R 1
3/2 = 1 R 1
1/2 = 0 R 1

Collect the remainders to defne the bnary digits.
500 = 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0
We need 9 bits, defined by the bnary number that will show on a binary odometer.

Answer: 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 (9 bits on an odometer)