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401 LearnersLast updated on December 4, 2025

A decimal system is a base-10 numeral system, which is the standard system for denoting integers and non-integers. It is the most widely used system in daily life for expressing numbers.
The decimal system utilizes ten symbols: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9.
Each digit's position in a number represents a power of 10, making it straightforward to perform arithmetic operations.
The binary numeral system, or base-2 system, represents numeric values using two symbols: 0 and 1.
It is the foundation of all binary code, which is used in computing and digital systems.
Each digit in a binary number represents a power of 2, and the binary system is essential for computer operations and digital circuit design.
Decimal to binary conversion is the process of changing a number from the decimal system (base 10) into the binary system (base 2).
The decimal system is the number system we use every day, made up of digits from 0 to 9. In contrast, the binary system is used in computers and digital devices and includes only two digits: 0 and 1.
Computers store and process all information in binary. Converting decimal numbers to binary helps students understand how digital systems represent data, perform calculations, and execute commands.
This conversion builds a strong foundation for computer science, coding, logic circuits, and understanding how digital technology works.


To convert a decimal number to binary, follow these steps:
Formula:
Binary = Read the remainders of (Decimal ÷ 2) from bottom to top
\( N_{i+1} = \left[ \frac{N_i}{2} \right] \)
This method converts the integer part of a decimal number to binary by repeatedly dividing by 2 until the quotient reaches 0.
Converting a decimal number to binary involves dividing the number by 2 and keeping track of the remainders.
When dealing with numbers, we often use decimal and binary systems.
Here is a conversion table to help understand how decimal numbers are represented in binary.
When converting decimal numbers to binary, beginners often make mistakes. Here are some common errors to help understand the conversion process better.
Convert 45 to binary
45 in decimal is 101101 in binary.
To convert 45:
45 ÷ 2 = 22 remainder 1
22 ÷ 2 = 11 remainder 0
11 ÷ 2 = 5 remainder 1
5 ÷ 2 = 2 remainder 1
2 ÷ 2 = 1 remainder 0
1 ÷ 2 = 0 remainder 1
Binary: 101101
Convert 78 to binary.
Solution: 78 in decimal is 1001110 in binary.
Convert 78:
78 ÷ 2 = 39 remainder 0
39 ÷ 2 = 19 remainder 1
19 ÷ 2 = 9 remainder 1
9 ÷ 2 = 4 remainder 1
4 ÷ 2 = 2 remainder 0
2 ÷ 2 = 1 remainder 0
1 ÷ 2 = 0 remainder 1
Binary: 1001110
What is 15 in binary?,A sports merchandise shop in New York City is preparing digital codes for customers who buy official NFL jerseys. One customer purchases a limited-edition jersey costing $24, and the shop’s system requires converting the decimal number 24 into binary to generate a discount voucher. What is 24 in binary? Solution:
15 in decimal is 1111 in binary.
11000
Convert 15:
15 ÷ 2 = 7 remainder 1
7 ÷ 2 = 3 remainder 1
3 ÷ 2 = 1 remainder 1
1 ÷ 2 = 0 remainder 1
Binary: 1111
Since the system uses binary for generating voucher IDs, we convert 24 from decimal to binary.
We repeatedly divide by 2 and record remainders:
24 ÷ 2 = 12 → remainder 0
12 ÷ 2 = 6 → remainder 0
6 ÷ 2 = 3 → remainder 0
3 ÷ 2 = 1 → remainder 1
1 ÷ 2 = 0 → remainder 1
Reading remainders bottom-up gives 11000.
This code is later printed on the customer's NFL receipt.
A Walgreens pharmacy in Chicago prints dosage instruction barcodes using binary numbers. A cold medicine formula includes an ingredient ID number of 37, which must be converted to binary before printing. What is 37 in binary?
100101
Walgreens converts decimal numbers like 37 into binary for internal tracking.
Divide repeatedly by 2:
37 ÷ 2 = 18 → remainder 1
18 ÷ 2 = 9 → remainder 0
9 ÷ 2 = 4 → remainder 1
4 ÷ 2 = 2 → remainder 0
2 ÷ 2 = 1 → remainder 0
1 ÷ 2 = 0 → remainder 1
Read from bottom to top → 100101.
This binary ID goes into their nationwide medicine-tracking database.
A sports merchandise shop in New York City is preparing digital codes for customers who buy official NFL jerseys. One customer purchases a limited-edition jersey costing $24, and the shop’s system requires converting the decimal number 24 into binary to generate a discount voucher. What is 24 in binary?
11000
Since the system uses binary for generating voucher IDs, we convert 24 from decimal to binary.
We repeatedly divide by 2 and record remainders:
24 ÷ 2 = 12 → remainder 0
12 ÷ 2 = 6 → remainder 0
6 ÷ 2 = 3 → remainder 0
3 ÷ 2 = 1 → remainder 1
1 ÷ 2 = 0 → remainder 1
Reading remainders bottom-up gives 11000.
This code is later printed on the customer's NFL receipt.
Conversion: The process of changing one number from one numeral system to another, such as from decimal to binary. Binary Number: A number expressed in the base-2 numeral system, using only the digits 0 and 1. Decimal Number: A number expressed in the base-10 numeral system, using digits from 0 to 9. Remainder: The amount left over after division, crucial for determining binary digits. Power of 2: Numbers like 1, 2, 4, 8, etc., which are the result of raising 2 to an integer power.

Nishtha is a passionate Maths teacher with 3 years of teaching experience. She focuses on making mathematics simple, engaging, and stress-free through student-centric, interactive, and exam-oriented teaching. With strong fundamentals, regular practice, an
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