Adding binary numbers can be done in much the same way that we add base 10 numbers, with a couple of caveats.
Let’s start at 0
10 and add until we reach 4
10:
Decimal | Binary |
---|---|
0 + 1 = 1 | 0 + 1 = 1 |
1 + 1 = 2 | 1 + 1 = 10 |
2 + 1 = 3 | 10 + 1 = 11 |
3 + 1 = 4 | 11 + 1 = 100 |
We can see that when adding numbers we need to be very careful when carrying our numbers. This will happen much more frequently than we are used to with decimal numbers. Here are some important rules to remember when adding in binary:
1 + 0 = 1
1 + 1 = 10
1 + 1 + 1 = 11
For larger numbers they can be lined up, one on top of another, just like in the regular addition you are used to. Take a look at the examples below, you can see how often you need to carry in binary addition.
Ex. Adding 100
2 and 1
2:
Binary | Decimal | 100 | 4 + 1 | + 1 ---- | --- 101 | 5
Ex. Adding 101101
2 and 111
2:
Binary | Decimal 1111 | 1 <- carried digits 101101 | 45 + 111 | + 7 ------- | --- 110100 | 52
Instructions
Create a new variable, answer1
, and set it equal to the sum of 10
2 + 10
2
Create a new variable, answer2
, and set it equal to the sum of 10010
2 + 101011
2
The previous two questions had very limited carrying, this number question will put your binary addition skills to the test! Create the variable, answer3
, and set it equal to the sum of 1110111011
2 + 11010111
2