Last updated on August 22, 2025
232 in binary is written as 11101000 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 for the number 232.
The process of converting 232 from decimal to binary involves dividing the number 232 by 2. 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 232 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 232 by 2 until getting 0 as the quotient is 11101000. 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 11101000. 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 11101000 in binary is indeed 232 in the decimal number system.
232 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 232 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 232, we stop at 27 = 128.
Step 2 - Identify the largest power of 2: In the previous step, we stopped at 2^7 = 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, 232. Since 2^7 is the number we are looking for, write 1 in the 2^7 place. Now the value of 2^7, which is 128, is subtracted from 232. 232 - 128 = 104.
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, 104. So, the next largest power of 2 is 2^6 = 64. Now, we have to write 1 in the 2^6 place. And then subtract 64 from 104. 104 - 64 = 40.
Step 4 - Continue until you reach zero: Repeat the process of finding the largest power of 2 and subtracting until you reach zero. 40 - 32 (2^5) = 8 8 - 8 (2^3) = 0
Step 5 - Identify the unused place values: In the previous steps, we wrote 1 in the 2^7, 2^6, 2^5, and 2^3 places. Now, we can just write 0s in the remaining places, which are 2^4, 2^2, 2^1, and 2^0. 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 1 in the 2^3 place 0 in the 2^4 place 1 in the 2^5 place 1 in the 2^6 place 1 in the 2^7 place
Step 6 - Write the values in reverse order: We now write the numbers upside down to represent 232 in binary. Therefore, 11101000 is 232 in binary.
Grouping Method: In this method, we divide the number 232 by 2. Let us see the step-by-step conversion.
Step 1 - Divide the given number 232 by 2. 232 / 2 = 116. Here, 116 is the quotient and 0 is the remainder.
Step 2 - Divide the previous quotient (116) by 2. 116 / 2 = 58. Here, the quotient is 58 and the remainder is 0.
Step 3 - Repeat the previous step. 58 / 2 = 29. Now, the quotient is 29, and 0 is the remainder.
Step 4 - Repeat the previous step. 29 / 2 = 14. Here, the remainder is 1.
Step 5 - Repeat the previous step. 14 / 2 = 7. Here, the remainder is 0.
Step 6 - Repeat the previous step. 7 / 2 = 3. Here, the remainder is 1.
Step 7 - Repeat the previous step. 3 / 2 = 1. Here, the remainder is 1.
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, 232 (decimal) = 11101000 (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 232. Since the answer is 2^7, write 1 next to this power of 2. Subtract the value (128) from 232. So, 232 - 128 = 104. Find the largest power of 2 less than or equal to 104. The answer is 2^6. So, write 1 next to this power. Now, 104 - 64 = 40. Continue this process until the remainder is 0. Final conversion will be 11101000.
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, 232 is divided by 2 to get 116 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Now, 116 is divided by 2. Here, we will get 58 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Dividing 58 by 2, we get 29 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Continue this process until the quotient becomes 0. Now, write the remainders upside down to get the binary equivalent of 232, 11101000.
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., 2^7, 2^6, 2^5, 2^4, 2^3, 2^2, 2^1, and 2^0. Find the largest power that fits into 232. 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 232, we use 0s for 2^4, 2^2, 2^1, and 2^0 and 1s for 2^7, 2^6, 2^5, and 2^3.
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 232.
Here, let us take a look at some of the most commonly made mistakes while converting numbers to binary.
Convert 232 from decimal to binary using the place value method.
11101000
2^7 is the largest power of 2, which is less than or equal to 232.
So place 1 next to 2^7.
Subtracting 128 from 232, we get 104.
So the next largest power would be 2^6.
So place another 1 next to 2^6.
Now, subtracting 64 from 104, we get 40.
Continue until the remainder is 0.
By using this method, we can find the binary form of 232.
Convert 232 from decimal to binary using the division by 2 method.
11101000
Divide 232 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 232 to binary using the representation method.
11101000
Break the number 232 into powers of 2 and find the largest powers of 2.
We get 2^7. So 1 is placed next to 2^7.
Next, 232 - 128 = 104.
Now, the largest power of 2 is 2^6.
Once again, 1 is placed next to 2^6.
Now, 104 - 64 = 40.
Continue until you get 0.
Fill in with zeros for unused powers of 2.
By following this method, we get the binary value of 232 as 11101000.
How is 232 written in decimal, octal, and binary form?
Decimal form - 232 Octal - 350 Binary - 11101000
The decimal system is also called the base 10 system.
In this system, 232 is written as 232 only.
We have already seen how 232 is written as 11101000 in binary.
So, let us focus on the octal system, which is base 8.
To convert 232 to octal, we need to divide 232 by 8.
So 232 / 8 = 29 with 0 as the remainder. In the next step, divide the quotient from the previous step (29) by 8. So 29 / 8 = 3 with 5 as the remainder.
In the final step, divide 3 by 8 to get 0 as the quotient and 3 as the remainder.
The division process stops here because the quotient is now 0.
Here, 3, 5, and 0 are the remainders, and they have to be written in reverse order.
So, 350 is the octal equivalent of 232.
Express 232 - 100 in binary.
100100
232 - 100 = 132
So, we need to write 132 in binary.
Start by dividing 132 by 2.
We get 66 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Next, divide 66 by 2.
Now we get 33 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Divide 33 by 2 to get 16 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder.
Divide 16 by 2 to get 8 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Divide 8 by 2 to get 4 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Divide 4 by 2 to get 2 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
Divide 2 by 2 to get 1 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder.
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 10000100 (binary of 132).
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.
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