Last updated on August 18th, 2025
1024 in binary is written as 10000000000 because the binary system uses only two digits, 0 and 1, to represent numbers. This number system is widely used in computer systems. In this topic, we are going to learn about the binary representation of 1024.
The process of converting 1024 from decimal to binary involves dividing the number 1024 by 2. Here, it is divided by 2 because the binary number system uses only 2 digits (0 and 1). The quotient becomes the dividend in the next step, and the process continues until the quotient becomes 0. This is a commonly used method to convert 1024 to binary. In the last step, the remainder is noted down bottom side up, and that becomes the converted value.
For example, the remainders noted down after dividing 1024 by 2 until getting 0 as the quotient result in 10000000000. Remember, the remainders here have been written upside down.
In the table shown below, the first column shows the binary digits (1 and 0) for 1024. The second column represents the place values of each digit, and the third column is the value calculation, where the binary digits are multiplied by their corresponding place values. The results of the third column can be added to cross-check if 10000000000 in binary is indeed 1024 in the decimal number system.
1024 can be converted easily from decimal to binary. The methods mentioned below will help us convert the number. Let’s see how it is done.
Expansion Method: Let us see the step-by-step process of converting 1024 using the expansion method.
Step 1 - Figure out the place values: In the binary system, each place value is a power of 2. Therefore, in the first step, we will ascertain the powers of 2. 2^0 = 1 2^1 = 2 2^2 = 4 2^3 = 8 2^4 = 16 2^5 = 32 2^6 = 64 2^7 = 128 2^8 = 256 2^9 = 512 2^10 = 1024 Since 1024 is equal to 2^10, we stop at 2^10.
Step 2 - Identify the largest power of 2: In the previous step, we stopped at 2^10 = 1024. This is because in this step, we have to identify the largest power of 2, which is equal to the given number, 1024. Since 2^10 is the number we are looking for, write 1 in the 2^10 place. Now the value of 1024 is achieved, and we have no remainder.
Step 3 - Identify the unused place values: Since we have used 2^10, we can just write 0s in all the remaining places, which are 2^0 to 2^9. Now, by substituting the values, we get, 0 in the 2^0 place 0 in the 2^1 place 0 in the 2^2 place 0 in the 2^3 place 0 in the 2^4 place 0 in the 2^5 place 0 in the 2^6 place 0 in the 2^7 place 0 in the 2^8 place 0 in the 2^9 place 1 in the 2^10 place
Step 4 - Write the values in reverse order: We now write the numbers upside down to represent 1024 in binary. Therefore, 10000000000 is 1024 in binary.
Grouping Method: In this method, we divide the number 1024 by 2. Let us see the step-by-step conversion.
Step 1 - Divide the given number 1024 by 2. 1024 / 2 = 512. Here, 512 is the quotient and 0 is the remainder.
Step 2 - Divide the previous quotient (512) by 2. 512 / 2 = 256. Here, the quotient is 256 and the remainder is 0.
Step 3 - Repeat the previous step. 256 / 2 = 128. Now, the quotient is 128, and 0 is the remainder.
Step 4 - Repeat the previous step. 128 / 2 = 64. Here, the quotient is 64 and the remainder is 0.
Step 5 - Repeat the previous step. 64 / 2 = 32. Here, the quotient is 32 and the remainder is 0.
Step 6 - Repeat the previous step. 32 / 2 = 16. Here, the quotient is 16 and the remainder is 0.
Step 7 - Repeat the previous step. 16 / 2 = 8. Here, the quotient is 8 and the remainder is 0.
Step 8 - Repeat the previous step. 8 / 2 = 4. Here, the quotient is 4 and the remainder is 0.
Step 9 - Repeat the previous step. 4 / 2 = 2. Here, the quotient is 2 and the remainder is 0.
Step 10 - Repeat the previous step. 2 / 2 = 1. Here, the quotient is 1 and the remainder is 0.
Step 11 - Repeat the previous step. 1 / 2 = 0. Here, the remainder is 1. And we stop the division here because the quotient is 0.
Step 12 - Write down the remainders from bottom to top. Therefore, 1024 (decimal) = 10000000000 (binary).
There are certain rules to follow when converting any number to binary. Some of them are mentioned below:
This is one of the most commonly used rules to convert any number to binary. The place value method is the same as the expansion method, where we need to find the largest power of 2. Let’s see a brief step-by-step explanation to understand the first rule. Find the largest power of 2 less than or equal to 1024. Since the answer is 2^10, write 1 next to this power of 2. Since there is no remainder, we can write 0 next to the remaining powers (2^0 to 2^9). Final conversion will be 10000000000.
The division by 2 method is the same as the grouping method. A brief step-by-step explanation is given below for better understanding. First, 1024 is divided by 2 to get 512 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Now, 512 is divided by 2. Here, we will get 256 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Dividing 256 by 2, we get 128 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Continue this process until you get a quotient of 0, noting down the remainders. We stop the division once the quotient becomes 0. Now, we write the remainders upside down to get the binary equivalent of 1024, 10000000000.
This rule also involves breaking the number into powers of 2. Identify the powers of 2 and write them down in decreasing order i.e., 2^10, 2^9, ..., 2^0. Find the largest power that fits into 1024. Since 2^10 exactly fits, write 1 next to 2^10. All other powers of 2 have a 0 next to them. Combine the digits (0 and 1) to get the binary result.
The limitation of the binary system is that only 0s and 1s can be used to represent numbers. The system doesn’t use any other digits other than 0 and 1. This is a base 2 number system, where the binary places represent powers of 2. So, every digit is either a 0 or a 1. To convert 1024, we use 0s for 2^0 to 2^9 and 1 for 2^10.
Learning a few tips and tricks is a great way to solve any mathematical problems easily. Let us take a look at some tips and tricks for binary numbers up to 1024.
Memorize to speed up conversions: We can memorize the binary forms for numbers 1 to 1024. 1 → 1, 2 → 10, 4 → 100, 8 → 1000, 16 → 10000, 32 → 100000, 64 → 1000000, 128 → 10000000, 256 → 100000000, 512 → 1000000000, 1024 → 10000000000.
Recognize the patterns: There is a peculiar pattern when converting numbers from decimal to binary. 1 → 1 1 + 1 = 2 → 10 2 + 2 = 4 → 100 4 + 4 = 8 → 1000 8 + 8 = 16 → 10000 16 + 16 = 32 → 100000…and so on. This is also called the double and add rule.
Even and odd rule: Whenever a number is even, its binary form will end in 0. For example, 1024 is even and its binary form is 10000000000. Here, the binary of 1024 ends in 0. If the number is odd, then its binary equivalent will end in 1. For example, the binary of 17 (an odd number) is 10001. As you can see, the last digit here is 1.
Cross-verify the answers: Once the conversion is done, we can cross-verify the answers by converting the number back to the decimal form. This will eliminate any unforeseen errors in conversion. Practice by using tables: Writing the decimal numbers and their binary equivalents on a table will help us remember the conversions.
Here, let us take a look at some of the most commonly made mistakes while converting numbers to binary.
Convert 1024 from decimal to binary using the place value method.
10000000000
2^10 is the largest power of 2, which is equal to 1024. So place 1 next to 2^10. Since there is no remainder, we place 0s in the remaining powers of 2, which are 2^0 to 2^9. By using this method, we can find the binary form of 1024.
Convert 1024 from decimal to binary using the division by 2 method.
10000000000
Divide 1024 by 2. In the next step, the quotient becomes the new dividend. Continue the process until the quotient becomes 0. Now, write the remainders upside down to get the final result.
Convert 1024 to binary using the representation method.
10000000000
Break the number 1024 into powers of 2 and find the largest power of 2. We get 2^10. So 1 is placed next to 2^10. Since there is no remainder, fill in with zeros for unused powers of 2. By following this method, we get the binary value of 1024 as 10000000000.
How is 1024 written in decimal, octal, and binary form?
Decimal form - 1024 Octal - 2000 Binary - 10000000000
The decimal system is also called the base 10 system. In this system, 1024 is written as 1024. We have already seen how 1024 is written as 10000000000 in binary. So, let us focus on the octal system, which is base 8. To convert 1024 to octal, we need to divide 1024 by 8. So 1024 / 8 = 128. The octal equivalent of 1024 is therefore 2000.
Express 1024 - 512 in binary.
100000000
1024 - 512 = 512 So, we need to write 512 in binary. Start by dividing 512 by 2. We get 256 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Next, divide 256 by 2. Now we get 128 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Continue this process until you get a quotient of 1 with a remainder of 0. Now write the remainders from bottom to top to get 100000000 (binary of 512).
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.