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Last updated on August 26, 2025
131072 in binary is written as 100000000000000000 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 131072 in the binary system.
The process of converting 131072 from decimal to binary involves dividing the number 131072 by 2. This is done 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 131072 to binary. In the last step, the remainder is noted down from bottom to top, and that becomes the converted value.
For example, the remainders noted down after dividing 131072 by 2 until getting 0 as the quotient is 100000000000000000. Remember, the remainders here have been written upside down.
In the table shown below, the first column shows the binary digits (1 and 0) as 100000000000000000.
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 100000000000000000 in binary is indeed 131072 in the decimal number system.
131072 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 131072 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.
20 = 1
21 = 2
22 = 4
23 = 8
24 = 16
25 = 32
26 = 64
27 = 128
28 = 256
29 = 512
210 = 1024
211 = 2048
212 = 4096
213 = 8192
214 = 16384
215 = 32768
216 = 65536
217 = 131072 Since 217 is equal to 131072, we stop at 217.
Step 2 - Identify the largest power of 2:
In the previous step, we stopped at 217 = 131072. This is because, in this step, we have to identify the largest power of 2 that is equal to the given number, 131072. Since 217 is the number we are looking for, write 1 in the 217 place. There is no need to subtract since the number is exactly 131072.
Step 3 - Identify the unused place values: Since we wrote 1 in the 217 place, we can just write 0s in the remaining places, which are from 20 up to 216. Now, by substituting the values, we get, 0 in the 20 place 0 in the 21 place 0 in the 22 place 0 in the 23 place 0 in the 24 place 0 in the 25 place 0 in the 26 place 0 in the 27 place 0 in the 28 place 0 in the 29 place 0 in the 210 place 0 in the 211 place 0 in the 212 place 0 in the 213 place 0 in the 214 place 0 in the 215 place 0 in the 216 place 1 in the 217 place Therefore, 100000000000000000 is 131072 in binary.
Grouping Method: In this method, we divide the number 131072 by 2. Let us see the step-by-step conversion.
Step 1 - Divide the given number 131072 by 2. 131072 / 2 = 65536. Here, 65536 is the quotient and 0 is the remainder.
Step 2 - Divide the previous quotient (65536) by 2. 65536 / 2 = 32768. Here, the quotient is 32768 and the remainder is 0.
Step 3 - Repeat the previous step. Continue dividing by 2 and noting the quotient and remainders until the quotient is 0.
Step 4 - Write down the remainders from bottom to top. Therefore, 131072 (decimal) = 100000000000000000 (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 that is less than or equal to 131072. Since the answer is 217, write 1 next to this power of 2. There is no need to subtract since the number is exactly 131072. Now, we write 0 next to the remaining powers from 20 to 216. Final conversion will be 100000000000000000.
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, 131072 is divided by 2 to get 65536 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Now, 65536 is divided by 2. Here, we will get 32768 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Continue dividing by 2 until the quotient becomes 0. Now, write the remainders upside down to get the binary equivalent of 131072, 100000000000000000.
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., 217, 216, 215, ..., 20. Find the largest power that fits into 131072. Repeat the process and allocate 1s and 0s to the suitable powers of 2. 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 131072, we use 0s for 20 to 216 and 1 for 217.
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 131072.
Memorize to speed up conversions: We can memorize the binary forms for numbers like 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16384, 32768, 65536, and 131072.
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, 131072 is even and its binary form is 100000000000000000. Here, the binary of 131072 ends in 0. If the number is odd, then its binary equivalent will end in 1. For example, the binary of 131073 (an odd number) is 100000000000000001. 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 131072 from decimal to binary using the place value method.
1E+17
217 is the largest power of 2, which is equal to 131072.
So place 1 next to 217.
There is no need to subtract since the number is exactly 131072.
Now, we just place 0s in the remaining powers of 2, which are from 20 to 216.
By using this method, we can find the binary form of 131072.
Convert 131072 from decimal to binary using the division by 2 method.
1E+17
Divide 131072 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 131072 to binary using the representation method.
1E+17
Break the number 131072 into powers of 2 and find the largest powers of 2.
We get 217.
So 1 is placed next to 217.
There is no need to subtract since the number is exactly 131072.
After getting 0, fill in with zeros for unused powers of 2.
By following this method, we get the binary value of 131072 as 100000000000000000.
How is 131072 written in decimal, octal, and binary form?
Decimal form - 131072 Octal - 400000 Binary - 100000000000000000
The decimal system is also called the base 10 system.
In this system, 131072 is written as 131072 only.
We have already seen how 131072 is written as 100000000000000000 in binary.
So, let us focus on the octal system, which is base 8.
To convert 131072 to octal, we need to divide 131072 by 8.
The division process stops when the quotient is 0, and the remainders written in reverse order give us the octal equivalent, which is 400000.
Express 131072 - 1024 in binary.
1.1111E+16
131072 - 1024 = 130048
So, we need to write 130048 in binary.
Start by dividing 130048 by 2.
Continue dividing by 2 until the quotient becomes 0.
Write the remainders from bottom to top to get 11111000000000000 (binary of 130048).
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.