The binary numbering system uses which base?

The binary numbering system operates using base two. This means it only employs two digits: 0 and 1. Each digit in a binary number represents a power of two, which allows for representing larger values through combinations of these two symbols.

In contrast, the other bases mentioned have different numeric representations. For instance, the decimal system, which is base ten, uses ten digits (0-9), while the octal system uses base eight with digits 0-7, and the hexadecimal system is based on sixteen, using digits 0-9 and letters A-F. Understanding that binary is based solely on two options—0 and 1—is crucial for grasping many concepts in digital electronics and computing, where binary is foundational for data representation, processing, and storage.