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1.4: Adding Binary Whole Numbers

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    114076
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    Before moving on to how integer values are stored and used in a computer for calculations, how to do addition of binary whole numbers needs to be covered.

    When 2 one-bit binary numbers are added, the following results are possible: 02+02 = 02; 02+12 = 12; 12+02 = 12; and 12+12 = 102. This is just like decimal numbers. For example, 3+4=7, and the result is still one digit. A problem occurs, however, when adding two decimal numbers where the result is greater than the base of the number (for decimal, the base is 10). For example, 9+8. The result cannot be represented in one digit, so a carry digit is created. The result of 9+8 is 7 with a carry of 1. The carry of 1 is considered in the next digit, which is actually adding 3 digits (the two addends, and the carry). So 39 + 28 = 67, where the 10's digit (4) is the result of the two addends (3 and 2) and the carry (1).

    The result of 12+12 = 102 in binary is analogous to the situation in base 10. The addition of 12+12 is 02 with a carry of 12, and there is a carry to the next digit of 12.

    An illustration of binary addition is shown in the figure below.

    Figure 1-1: Binary whole number addition

    Screen Shot 2020-06-27 at 6.27.54 PM.png

    Here the first bit adds 12 +12, which yields a 02 in this bit and a carry bit of 12. The next bit now has to add 12 +12 +12 (the extra one is the carry bit), which yields a 12 for this bit and a carry bit of 12. If you follow the arithmetic through, you have 00112 (310) + 01112 (710) = 10102 (1010).


    This page titled 1.4: Adding Binary Whole Numbers is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Charles W. Kann III.

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