Final answer:
Computers understand binary format numbers, which are sequences of 0s and 1s. This binary numeral system is the basis for all data processing and storage in computing. Information, such as cell phone communications, is ultimately transmitted and represented in binary form.
Step-by-step explanation:
Computers only understand numbers in binary format, which consists of sequences of 0s and 1s. These binary digits, or bits, are the most basic unit of data in computing. Each bit represents a binary state, either on (1) or off (0), which electronic circuits within the computer hardware can process.
While humans use a base-10 number system for most calculations, computers utilize a base-2 system. For example, the decimal number 2 is represented as 10 in binary, and decimal number 7 is 111 in binary. This binary code is used by computers to perform all sorts of computations and store data. When we interact with computers, we input numbers in decimal form that the computer must convert into binary. Likewise, the computer presents us with numbers that it has translated back from binary to decimal.
Whether we're discussing cell phone conversations, digital data compression, or any other form of computer processing, the information ultimately gets represented as binary numbers. This form of number representation allows for more reliable data transmission and easier manipulation by computer algorithms.