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Last updated on August 18, 2025
223 in binary is written as 11011111 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 system representation of the number 223.
The process of converting 223 from decimal to binary involves dividing the number 223 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 223 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 223 by 2 until getting 0 as the quotient is 11011111. 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 223.
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 11011111 in binary is indeed 223 in the decimal number system.
223 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 223 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 223, 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, 223. 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 223. 223 - 128 = 95.
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, 95. The next largest power of 2 is 26, which is equal to 64. Now, we have to write 1 in the 26 place. And then subtract 64 from 95. 95 - 64 = 31.
Step 4 - Continue the process: Repeat the steps to find the largest power of 2 that fits into the current difference. Continue this until the remainder is 0. 31 - 16 = 15 15 - 8 = 7 7 - 4 = 3 3 - 2 = 1 1 - 1 = 0
Step 5 - Write the values in reverse order: We now write the numbers upside down to represent 223 in binary. Therefore, 11011111 is 223 in binary.
Grouping Method: In this method, we divide the number 223 by 2. Let us see the step-by-step conversion.
Step 1 - Divide the given number 223 by 2. 223 / 2 = 111. Here, 111 is the quotient and 1 is the remainder.
Step 2 - Divide the previous quotient (111) by 2. 111 / 2 = 55. Here, the quotient is 55 and the remainder is 1.
Step 3 - Repeat the previous step. 55 / 2 = 27. Now, the quotient is 27, and 1 is the remainder.
Step 4 - Repeat the previous step. 27 / 2 = 13. Now, the quotient is 13, and 1 is the remainder.
Step 5 - Repeat the previous step. 13 / 2 = 6. Now, the quotient is 6, and 1 is the remainder.
Step 6 - Repeat the previous step. 6 / 2 = 3. Now, the quotient is 3, and 0 is the remainder.
Step 7 - Repeat the previous step. 3 / 2 = 1. Now, the quotient is 1, and 1 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, 223 (decimal) = 11011111 (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 223. Since the answer is 27, write 1 next to this power of 2. Subtract the value (128) from 223. So, 223 - 128 = 95. Find the largest power of 2 less than or equal to 95. The answer is 26. So, write 1 next to this power. Now, 95 - 64 = 31. Continue this process until the remainder is 0. Final conversion will be 11011111.
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, 223 is divided by 2 to get 111 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. Now, 111 is divided by 2. Here, we will get 55 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. Dividing 55 by 2, we get 27 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. Divide 27 by 2 to get 13 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. Continue this process until the quotient becomes 0. Now, we write the remainders upside down to get the binary equivalent of 223, 11011111.
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 223. 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 223, we use 1s for the powers of 2 (27, 26, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20) and 0 for 25.
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 223.
Memorize to speed up conversions: We can memorize the binary forms for numbers 1 to 223.
Recognize the patterns: There is a peculiar pattern when converting numbers from decimal to binary.
Even and odd rule: Whenever a number is even, its binary form will end in 0. For e.g., 222 is even and its binary form is 11011110. Here, the binary of 222 ends in 0. If the number is odd, then its binary equivalent will end in 1. For e.g., the binary of 223 (an odd number) is 11011111. 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 223 from decimal to binary using the place value method.
11011111
27 is the largest power of 2, which is less than or equal to 223.
So place 1 next to 27.
Subtracting 128 from 223, we get 95.
So the next largest power would be 26.
So place another 1 next to 26.
Now, subtracting 64 from 95, we get 31.
Continue this process until the remainder is 0.
By using this method, we can find the binary form of 223.
Convert 223 from decimal to binary using the division by 2 method.
11011111
Divide 223 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 223 to binary using the representation method.
11011111
Break the number 223 into powers of 2 and find the largest powers of 2.
We get 27. So 1 is placed next to 27.
Next, 223 - 128 = 95.
Now, the largest power of 2 is 26.
Once again, 1 is placed next to 26.
Continue this process until the remainder is 0.
After getting 0, fill in with zeros for unused powers of 2.
By following this method, we get the binary value of 223 as 11011111.
How is 223 written in decimal, octal, and binary form?
Decimal form - 223 Octal - 337 Binary - 11011111
The decimal system is also called the base 10 system.
In this system, 223 is written as 223 only.
We have already seen how 223 is written as 11011111 in binary.
So, let us focus on the octal system, which is base 8.
To convert 223 to octal, we need to divide 223 by 8.
So 223 / 8 = 27 with 7 as the remainder. In the next step, divide the quotient from the previous step (27) by 8.
So 27 / 8 = 3 with 3 as the remainder.
The division process stops here because the quotient is now 0.
Here, 3 and 7 are the remainders, and they have to be written in reverse order.
So, 337 is the octal equivalent of 223.
Express 223 - 5 in binary.
11011010
223 - 5 = 218 So, we need to write 218 in binary.
Start by dividing 218 by 2.
We get 109 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Next, divide 109 by 2. Now we get 54 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder.
Divide 54 by 2 to get 27 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Continue the process until the remainder is 0.
Now write the remainders from bottom to top to get 11011010 (binary of 218).
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.