The representation of numbers in the base-2 system, using only the two digits 0 and 1. For example, the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 become 0, 1, 10, 11, and 100 in binary notation. The binary system is commonly used in computers because the values 0 and 1 can easily be represented in a variety of ways, such as the presence or absence of current, positive or negative voltage, or a white or black dot on the display screen. A single binary digit—a 0 or a 1—is called a bit. Compare decimal system, hexadecimal system.
