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Last updated on August 17, 2025
162 in binary is written as 10100010 because the binary system uses only two digits, 0 and 1, to represent numbers. This number system is used widely in computer systems. In this topic, we are going to learn about the binary representation of 162.
The process of converting 162 from decimal to binary involves dividing the number 162 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 162 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 162 by 2 until getting 0 as the quotient are 10100010. 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 10100010.
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 10100010 in binary is indeed 162 in the decimal number system.
162 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 162 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 Since 256 is greater than 162, we stop at 2^7 = 128.
Step 2 - Identify the largest power of 2: In the previous step, we stopped at 27 = 128. This is because in this step, we have to identify the largest power of 2, which is less than or equal to the given number, 162. Since 2^7 is the number we are looking for, write 1 in the 27 place. Now the value of 27, which is 128, is subtracted from 162. 162 - 128 = 34.
Step 3 - Identify the next largest power of 2: In this step, we need to find the largest power of 2 that fits into the result of the previous step, 34. So, the next largest power of 2 is 25 which is less than or equal to 34. Now, we have to write 1 in the 25 place. And then subtract 32 from 34. 34 - 32 = 2.
Step 4 - Identify the next largest power of 2: In this step, we need to find the largest power of 2 that fits into the result of the previous step, 2. So, the next largest power of 2 is 21, which is equal to 2. Now, we have to write 1 in the 21 place. And then subtract 2 from 2. 2 - 2 = 0. We need to stop the process here since the remainder is 0.
Step 5 - Identify the unused place values: In steps 2, 3, and 4, we wrote 1 in the 27, 25, and 21 places. Now, we can just write 0s in the remaining places, which are 20, 22, 23, 24, and 26. Now, by substituting the values, we get: 0 in the 20 place 1 in the 21 place 0 in the 22 place 0 in the 2^3 place 0 in the 24 place 1 in the 2^5 place 0 in the 26 place 1 in the 27 place
Step 6 - Write the values in reverse order: We now write the numbers upside down to represent 162 in binary. Therefore, 10100010 is 162 in binary.
Grouping Method: In this method, we divide the number 162 by 2. Let us see the step-by-step conversion.
Step 1 - Divide the given number 162 by 2. 162 / 2 = 81. Here, 81 is the quotient and 0 is the remainder.
Step 2 - Divide the previous quotient (81) by 2. 81 / 2 = 40. Here, the quotient is 40 and the remainder is 1.
Step 3 - Repeat the previous step. 40 / 2 = 20. Now, the quotient is 20, and 0 is the remainder.
Step 4 - Repeat the previous step. 20 / 2 = 10. Here, the quotient is 10, and 0 is the remainder.
Step 5 - Repeat the previous step. 10 / 2 = 5. Here, the quotient is 5, and 0 is the remainder.
Step 6 - Repeat the previous step. 5 / 2 = 2. Here, the quotient is 2, and 1 is the remainder.
Step 7 - Repeat the previous step. 2 / 2 = 1. Here, the quotient is 1, and 0 is the remainder.
Step 8 - Repeat the previous step. 1 / 2 = 0. Here, the remainder is 1. And we stop the division here because the quotient is 0.
Step 9 - Write down the remainders from bottom to top. Therefore, 162 (decimal) = 10100010 (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 162. Since the answer is 27, write 1 next to this power of 2. Subtract the value (128) from 162. So, 162 - 128 = 34. Find the largest power of 2 less than or equal to 34. The answer is 25. So, write 1 next to this power. Then, 34 - 32 = 2. Find the largest power of 2 less than or equal to 2. The answer is 21. So, write another 1 next to this power. Now, 2 - 2 = 0. Since there is no remainder, we can write 0 next to the remaining powers (20, 22, 23, 24, and 26). Final conversion will be 10100010.
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, 162 is divided by 2 to get 81 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Now, 81 is divided by 2. Here, we will get 40 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. Dividing 40 by 2, we get 10 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Dividing 10 by 2, we get 5 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Dividing 5 by 2, we get 2 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. Dividing 2 by 2, we get 1 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Divide 1 by 2 to get 1 as the remainder and 0 as the quotient. We stop the division once the quotient becomes 0. Now, we write the remainders upside down to get the binary equivalent of 162, 10100010.
This rule also involves breaking the number into powers of 2. Identify the powers of 2 and write it down in decreasing order i.e., 27, 26, 25, and so on. Find the largest power that fits into 162. 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 162, we use 0s for 20, 22, 23, 24, and 26, and 1s for 21, 25, and 27.
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 162.
Memorize to speed up conversions: We can memorize the binary forms for numbers 1 to 162.
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, 162 is even, and its binary form is 10100010. Here, the binary of 162 ends in 0. If the number is odd, then its binary equivalent will end in 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 162 from decimal to binary using the place value method.
10100010
27 is the largest power of 2, which is less than or equal to 162.
So place 1 next to 27.
Subtracting 128 from 162, we get 34. So the next largest power would be 25.
So place another 1 next to 25. Now, subtracting 32 from 34, we get 2.
The largest power of 2 less than or equal to 2 is 21.
So place another 1 next to 21.
Now, we just place 0s in the remaining powers of 2, which are 20, 22, 23, 24, and 26.
By using this method, we can find the binary form of 162.
Convert 162 from decimal to binary using the division by 2 method.
10100010
Divide 162 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 162 to binary using the representation method.
10100010
Break the number 162 into powers of 2 and find the largest powers of 2.
We get 27. So 1 is placed next to 27.
Next, 162 - 128 = 34.
Now, the largest power of 2 is 25.
Once again, 1 is placed next to 25.
Then, 34 - 32 = 2.
The largest power of 2 less than or equal to 2 is 21.
So place another 1 next to 21.
After getting 0, fill in with zeros for unused powers of 2.
By following this method, we get the binary value of 162 as 10100010.
How is 162 written in decimal, octal, and binary form?
Decimal form - 162 Octal - 242 Binary - 10100010
The decimal system is also called the base 10 system.
In this system, 162 is written as 162 only.
We have already seen how 162 is written as 10100010 in binary.
So, let us focus on the octal system, which is base 8.
To convert 162 to octal, we need to divide 162 by 8.
So 162 / 8 = 20 with 2 as the remainder.
In the next step, divide the quotient from the previous step (20) by 8.
So 20 / 8 = 2 with 4 as the remainder.
The division process stops here because the quotient is now 0.
Here, 4 and 2 are the remainders, and they have to be written in reverse order.
So, 242 is the octal equivalent of 162.
Express 162 - 100 in binary.
111110
162 - 100 = 62 So, we need to write 62 in binary.
Start by dividing 62 by 2.
We get 31 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Next, divide 31 by 2.
Now we get 15 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder.
Then divide 15 by 2 to get 7 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder.
Next, divide 7 by 2 to get 3 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder.
Then divide 3 by 2 to get 1 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder.
Finally, divide 1 by 2 to get 0 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder.
Now write the remainders from bottom to top to get 111110 (binary of 62).
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.