Why the number 7?

[DaveBj]

Oh I see. How does 111 = 7?

Reading from right to left, the numbers represent ascending powers of the base number, which in this case it 2 (binary number system).

If we were talking about our normal number system (decimal, base 10, because we have 10 fingers), then 111 would be (like I said, reading from right to left):
–1 times 10 to the zero power = 1 x 1 = 1
–1 times 10 to the first power = 1 x 10 = 10.
–1 times 10 to the second power = 1 x 100 = 100
–Add’em together = 111.

In the binary system (base 2), the breakdown is like this:
–1 times 2 to the zero power = 1 x 1 = 1
–1 times 2 to the first power = 1 x 2 = 2
–1 times 2 to the second power = 1 x 4 = 4
–Add’em together = 7.

Binary math is used in computers because the memory in computers is like a bunch of tiny tiny light switches. They can be either off (0) or on (1). When the offs (0s) and ons (1s) are lined up just right, they make up this message.

DaveBj

 

[thistle]

Reading from right to left, the numbers represent ascending powers of the base number, which in this case it 2 (binary number system).

If we were talking about our normal number system (decimal, base 10, because we have 10 fingers), then 111 would be (like I said, reading from right to left):
–1 times 10 to the zero power = 1 x 1 = 1
–1 times 10 to the first power = 1 x 10 = 10.
–1 times 10 to the second power = 1 x 100 = 100
–Add’em together = 111.

In the binary system (base 2), the breakdown is like this:
–1 times 2 to the zero power = 1 x 1 = 1
–1 times 2 to the first power = 1 x 2 = 2
–1 times 2 to the second power = 1 x 4 = 4
–Add’em together = 7.

Binary math is used in computers because the memory in computers is like a bunch of tiny tiny light switches. They can be either off (0) or on (1). When the offs (0s) and ons (1s) are lined up just right, they make up this message.

DaveBj

Okay. Thanks for your patience in trying explain that to me. However, I’ll leave that one as I’m totally lost but I did manage to check I have 10 fingers.