Final answer:
A binary number is a number expressed in the base-2 numeral system, using two symbols: 0 and 1. This system underpins computing and digital electronics, enabling efficient data transmission and compression, especially in devices like cell phones and televisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
A binary number is a number expressed in the base-2 numeral system, which uses only two symbols: typically 0 (zero) and 1 (one). Each digit in a binary number is called a bit, which is a contraction of binary digit. This system is the foundation of all modern computing and digital electronics because computers operate using binary logic.
Devices such as cell phones and televisions convert voice and video signals into binary format for efficient transmission. The key advantage of using binary numbers in digital data transmission is that it maintains the clarity of the signal even when it is weak and allows for the application of computer algorithms to compress digital data. Hence, a high amount of data can be sent in each frequency range, optimizing the use of the bandwidth.
In the binary system, each bit represents an exponential value of 2, starting from 2^0 from the rightmost bit. The value of a binary number increases as you move left, with each position representing an increasing power of 2. The value of a binary number can be calculated by adding the values of all the bits that are set to 1.