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Last updated on August 13, 2025
188 in binary is written as 10111100 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 converting 188 to a binary system.
The process of converting 188 from decimal to binary involves dividing the number 188 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 188 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 188 by 2 until getting 0 as the quotient is 10111100. 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 10111100.
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 10111100 in binary is indeed 188 in the decimal number system.
188 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 188 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 188, we stop at 27 = 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, 188.
Since 27 is the number we are looking for, write 1 in the 27 place.
Now the value of 27, which is 128, is subtracted from 188. 188 - 128 = 60.
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, 60.
So, the next largest power of 2 is 25, which is less than or equal to 60 (in this case equal).
Now, we have to write 1 in the 25 place. And then subtract 32 from 60. 60 - 32 = 28.
Step 4 - Continue identifying the largest power of 2:
Next, identify the largest power of 2 for 28, which is 24. 28 - 16 = 12.
Next, for 12, the largest power of 2 is 23. 12 - 8 = 4.
Finally, for 4, the largest power of 2 is 22. 4 - 4 = 0.
We need to stop the process here since the remainder is 0.
Step 5 - Identify the unused place values: In step 2 through step 4, we wrote 1 in the 27, 25, 24, 23, and 22 places.
Now, we can just write 0s in the remaining places, which are 26, 21, and 20.
Now, by substituting the values, we get: 0 in the 20 place 0 in the 2^1 place 1 in the 22 place 1 in the 23 place 1 in the 24 place 1 in the 25 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 188 in binary. Therefore, 10111100 is 188 in binary.
Grouping Method: In this method, we divide the number 188 by 2. Let us see the step-by-step conversion.
Step 1 - Divide the given number 188 by 2. 188 / 2 = 94. Here, 94 is the quotient and 0 is the remainder.
Step 2 - Divide the previous quotient (94) by 2. 94 / 2 = 47. Here, the quotient is 47 and the remainder is 0.
Step 3 - Repeat the previous step. 47 / 2 = 23. Now, the quotient is 23, and 1 is the remainder.
Step 4 - Continue the division process. 23 / 2 = 11.
Here, the quotient is 11, and the remainder is 1. 11 / 2 = 5.
The quotient is 5, and the remainder is 1. 5 / 2 = 2.
The quotient is 2, and the remainder is 1. 2 / 2 = 1.
The quotient is 1, and the remainder is 0.
Step 5 - Divide 1 by 2 to get 0 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. And we stop the division here because the quotient is 0.
Step 6 - Write down the remainders from bottom to top.
Therefore, 188 (decimal) = 10111100 (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 188.
Since the answer is 27, write 1 next to this power of 2.
Subtract the value (128) from 188.
So, 188 - 128 = 60.
Find the largest power of 2 less than or equal to 60.
The answer is 25. So, write 1 next to this power.
Now, 60 - 32 = 28.
Continue the process with the remaining numbers until the remainder is 0. Final conversion will be 10111100.
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, 188 is divided by 2 to get 94 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Now, 94 is divided by 2. Here, we will get 47 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Continue dividing the quotient by 2 until the quotient becomes 0.
Now, we write the remainders upside down to get the binary equivalent of 188, 10111100.
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 188.
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 188, we use 0s for 20, 21, and 26, and 1s for 27, 25, 24, 23, and 22.
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 188. Memorize to speed up conversions: We can memorize the binary forms for numbers 1 to 188.
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 e.g., 188 is even and its binary form is 10111100. Here, the binary of 188 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 188 from decimal to binary using the place value method.
10111100
27 is the largest power of 2, which is less than or equal to 188.
So place 1 next to 27.
Subtracting 128 from 188, we get 60.
The next largest power would be 25.
So place another 1 next to 25.
Continue subtracting and identifying powers until the remainder is 0.
By using this method, we can find the binary form of 188.
Convert 188 from decimal to binary using the division by 2 method.
10111100
Divide 188 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 188 to binary using the representation method.
10111100
Break the number 188 into powers of 2 and find the largest powers of 2.
We get 27. So 1 is placed next to 27.
Next, 188 - 128 = 60. Now, continue finding and writing 1s next to the suitable powers of 2.
After getting 0, fill in with zeros for unused powers of 2.
By following this method, we get the binary value of 188 as 10111100.
How is 188 written in decimal, octal, and binary form?
Decimal form - 188 Octal - 274 Binary - 10111100
The decimal system is also called the base 10 system.
In this system, 188 is written as 188 only.
We have already seen how 188 is written as 10111100 in binary.
So, let us focus on the octal system, which is base 8.
To convert 188 to octal, we need to divide 188 by 8.
So 188 / 8 = 23 with 4 as the remainder.
Divide 23 by 8 to get 2 as the quotient and 7 as the remainder.
The division process stops here because the quotient is now 0.
Here, 4 and 7 are the remainders, and they have to be written in reverse order.
So, 274 is the octal equivalent of 188.
Express 188 - 100 in binary.
101100
188 - 100 = 88 So, we need to write 88 in binary.
Start by dividing 88 by 2.
We get 44 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Next, divide 44 by 2.
Now we get 22 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Continue dividing by 2 until the quotient becomes 0.
Write the remainders from bottom to top to get 101100 (binary of 88).
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.