Conversion of Binary to Decimal

binary to decimal...

introduction:-

The binary (base two) numeral system has two possible values, often represented as 0 or 1, for each place-value. In contrast, the decimal (base ten) numeral system has ten possible values (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, or 9) for each place-value.

To avoid confusion while using different numeral systems, the base of each individual number may be specified by writing it as a subscript of the number. For example, the binary number 10011100 may be specified as "base two" by writing it as 10011100₂. The decimal number 156 may be written as 156₁₀ and read as "one hundred fifty-six, base ten".

STEPS:-

1. 1. For this example, let's convert the binary number 10011011₂ to decimal. List the powers of two from right to left. Start at 2⁰, evaluating it as "1". Increment the exponent by one for each power. Stop when the amount of elements in the list is equal to the amount of digits in the binary number. The example number, 10011011, has eight digits, so the list, to eight elements, would look like this: 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1
   2. Write the binary number below the list.
   3. 
      

      Here is this step written on paper using the example binary number, 10011011.
   4. Draw lines, starting from the right, connecting each consecutive digit of the binary number to the power of two that is next in the list above it. Begin by drawing a line from the first digit of the binary number to the first power of two in the list above it. Then, draw a line from the second digit of the binary number to the second power of two in the list. Continue connecting each digit with its corresponding power of two.
      
      
      

      Here is this step written on paper using the example binary number, 10011011.
   5. Move through each digit of the binary number. If the digit is a 1, write its corresponding power of two below the line, under the digit. If the digit is a 0, write a 0 below the line, under the digit.
      
      
      

      Here is this step written on paper using the example binary number, 10011011.
   6. Add the numbers written below the line. The sum should be 155. This is the decimal equivalent of the binary number 10011011. Or, written with base subscripts: 10011011₂ = 155₁₀
      
      
      
      

      Here is this step written on paper using the example binary number, 10011011. The sum of the bottom row, 155, is its decimal equivalent. Or, written with base subscripts: 10011011₂ = 155₁₀
   7. Repetition of this method will result in memorization of the powers of two, which will allow you to skip step 1.
   Doubling method

   Starting from zero, and working from left to right, double your number and add the next digit of the base two representation. For example to convert 1011001, we take the following steps.

   1. 1|011001 0*2+1 = 1
   2. 10|11001 1*2+0 = 2
   3. 101|1001 2*2+1 = 5
   4. 1011|001 5*2+1 = 11
   5. 10110|01 11*2+0 = 22
   6. 101100|1 22*2+0 = 44

7.1011001 44*2+1 = 89

Tips

• Practice. Try converting the binary numbers 11010001₂, 11001₂, and 11110001₂. Respectively, their decimal equivalents are 209₁₀, 25₁₀, and 241₁₀.
• The calculator that comes installed with Microsoft Windows can do this conversion for you, but as a programmer, you're better off with a good understanding of how the conversion works. The calculator's conversion options can be made visible by opening its "View" menu and selecting "Scientific". On Linux, you can use galculator.
• There is another way to convert from binary to decimal, which ignores the binary values of the columns. Take the left-most one digit and start there as "1." For each column to the right, double your subtotal and add the next digit. For example, "1011" would entail the following: "1," (double) 2, (add 0) 2, (double) 4, (add 1) 5, (double) 10, and finally (add 1) 11. This technique is very useful for converting large numbers in your head, as you only need to keep track of your sub-total (you are simply adding and doubling).

Posted in: Digital Electronics