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Last updated on August 22, 2025
680 in binary is written as 1010101000 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 converting 680 to binary.
The process of converting 680 from decimal to binary involves dividing the number 680 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 680 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 680 by 2 until getting 0 as the quotient is 1010101000. 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 680.
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 1010101000 in binary is indeed 680 in the decimal number system.
680 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 680 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. 2^0 = 1 2^1 = 2 2^2 = 4 2^3 = 8 2^4 = 16 2^5 = 32 2^6 = 64 2^7 = 128 2^8 = 256 2^9 = 512 Since 512 is less than 680, we use it.
Step 2 - Identify the largest power of 2: In the previous step, we identified 2^9 = 512. This is because we have to identify the largest power of 2, which is less than or equal to the given number, 680. Write 1 in the 2^9 place. Now, subtract 512 from 680. 680 - 512 = 168.
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, 168. The next largest power of 2 is 2^7, which equals 128. Write 1 in the 2^7 place. Subtract 128 from 168. 168 - 128 = 40.
Step 4 - Continue the process: Continue finding the largest powers of 2 for the remainder until the remainder is 0. For 40, the largest power is 2^5 = 32. Write 1 in the 2^5 place and subtract 32 from 40. 40 - 32 = 8. Now, for 8, the largest power is 2^3 = 8. Write 1 in the 2^3 place and subtract 8 from 8. 8 - 8 = 0.
Step 5 - Identify the unused place values: In steps 2 to 4, we wrote 1 in the 2^9, 2^7, 2^5, and 2^3 places. Now, write 0s in the remaining places, which are 2^8, 2^6, 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 0 in the 2^6 place 1 in the 2^7 place 0 in the 2^8 place 1 in the 2^9 place
Step 6 - Write the values in reverse order: We now write the numbers upside down to represent 680 in binary. Therefore, 1010101000 is 680 in binary.
Grouping Method: In this method, we divide the number 680 by 2. Let us see the step-by-step conversion.
Step 1 - Divide the given number 680 by 2. 680 / 2 = 340. Here, 340 is the quotient and 0 is the remainder.
Step 2 - Divide the previous quotient (340) by 2. 340 / 2 = 170. Here, the quotient is 170 and the remainder is 0.
Step 3 - Repeat the previous step. 170 / 2 = 85. Now, the quotient is 85 and the remainder is 0.
Step 4 - Repeat the previous step. 85 / 2 = 42. The quotient is 42 and the remainder is 1.
Step 5 - Continue the process until the quotient is 0. 42 / 2 = 21. Quotient: 21, Remainder: 0 21 / 2 = 10. Quotient: 10, Remainder: 1 10 / 2 = 5. Quotient: 5, Remainder: 0 5 / 2 = 2. Quotient: 2, Remainder: 1 2 / 2 = 1. Quotient: 1, Remainder: 0 1 / 2 = 0. Quotient: 0, Remainder: 1
Step 6 - Write down the remainders from bottom to top. Therefore, 680 (decimal) = 1010101000 (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 680. Since the answer is 2^9, write 1 next to this power of 2. Subtract the value (512) from 680. So, 680 - 512 = 168. Find the largest power of 2 less than or equal to 168. The answer is 2^7. So, write 1 next to this power. Now, 168 - 128 = 40. Continue this process until the remainder is 0. Final conversion will be 1010101000.
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, 680 is divided by 2 to get 340 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Now, 340 is divided by 2. Here, we will get 170 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Dividing 170 by 2, we get 85 as the quotient and 0 as the remainder. Continue dividing the quotient by 2 until it becomes 0. Now, we write the remainders upside down to get the binary equivalent of 680, 1010101000.
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., 2^9, 2^8, 2^7, etc. Find the largest power that fits into 680. 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 680, we use 0s for 2^8, 2^6, 2^4, 2^2, 2^1, and 2^0 and 1s for 2^9, 2^7, 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. Memorize to speed up conversions: We can memorize the binary forms for numbers.
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
Even and odd rule: Whenever a number is even, its binary form will end in 0. For example, 680 is even, and its binary form is 1010101000. Here, the binary of 680 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 680 from decimal to binary using the place value method.
1010101000
2^9 is the largest power of 2, which is less than or equal to 680. So place 1 next to 2^9. Subtracting 512 from 680, we get 168. So the next largest power would be 2^7. So place another 1 next to 2^7. Now, subtracting 128 from 168, we get 40. So the next largest power would be 2^5. So place another 1 next to 2^5. Now subtract 32 from 40, we get 8. So the next largest power would be 2^3. So place another 1 next to 2^3. Now, subtracting 8 from 8, we get 0. Now, we just place 0s in the remaining powers of 2, which are 2^8, 2^6, 2^4, 2^2, 2^1, and 2^0. By using this method, we can find the binary form of 680.
Convert 680 from decimal to binary using the division by 2 method.
1010101000
Divide 680 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 680 to binary using the representation method.
1010101000
Break the number 680 into powers of 2 and find the largest powers of 2. We get 2^9. So 1 is placed next to 2^9. Next, 680 - 512 = 168. Now, the largest power of 2 is 2^7. Once again, 1 is placed next to 2^7. Now, 168 - 128 = 40. The next largest power is 2^5. Once again, 1 is placed next to 2^5. Now, 40 - 32 = 8. The next largest power is 2^3. Once again, 1 is placed next to 2^3. Now, 8 - 8 = 0. After getting 0, fill in with zeros for unused powers of 2. By following this method, we get the binary value of 680 as 1010101000.
How is 680 written in decimal, octal, and binary form?
Decimal form - 680 Octal - 1250 Binary - 1010101000
The decimal system is also called the base 10 system. In this system, 680 is written as 680. We have already seen how 680 is written as 1010101000 in binary. So, let us focus on the octal system, which is base 8. To convert 680 to octal, we need to divide 680 by 8. So 680 / 8 = 85 with 0 as the remainder. In the next step, divide the quotient from the previous step (85) by 8. So 85 / 8 = 10 with 5 as the remainder. In the next step, divide the quotient from the previous step (10) by 8. So 10 / 8 = 1 with 2 as the remainder. Finally, divide 1 by 8 to get 0 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. The division process stops here because the quotient is now 0. Here, 0, 5, 2, and 1 are the remainders, and they have to be written in reverse order. So, 1250 is the octal equivalent of 680.
Express 680 - 5 in binary.
1010100011
680 - 5 = 675 So, we need to write 675 in binary. Start by dividing 675 by 2. We get 337 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. Next, divide 337 by 2. Now we get 168 as the quotient and 1 as the remainder. Continue dividing the quotient by 2 until it becomes 0. Now write the remainders from bottom to top to get 1010100011 (binary of 675).
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.