Unsigned Binary Arithmetic

Understanding Unsigned Binary Arithmetic

  • Unsigned binary arithmetic deals with the operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division on binary numbers.

  • In this system, all numbers are considered positive and there are no symbols to represent a negative number.

  • Binary numbers are used to represent operands, and the results are also in the binary format.

  • Unlike decimal arithmetic, binary arithmetic makes use of only two digits, 0 and 1.

  • Understanding binary arithmetic is vital to understanding how computers perform mathematical operations on data.

Unsigned Binary Addition

  • Binary addition is similar to decimal addition, except it uses binary digits.

  • The following rules apply: 0 + 0 = 0; 0 + 1 = 1; 1 + 0 = 1; and 1 + 1 = 10, where 10 is a binary number and the “1” is carried over to the next bit as in decimal addition.

Unsigned Binary Subtraction

  • Binary subtraction works like decimal subtraction with the exception of binary digits.

  • The rules for binary subtraction are: 0 - 0 = 0; 1 - 0 = 1; 1 - 1 = 0; and 0 - 1 is not allowed as an operation in unsigned binary arithmetic.

Unsigned Binary Multiplication

  • This is somewhat similar to decimal multiplication but with binary digits.

  • Rules are: 1 x 1 = 1, any other combination of inputs gives 0.

  • Perform multiplication from right to left and add the binary results to get the final binary product.

Unsigned Binary Division

  • Binary division is analogous to decimal division but with binary digits.

  • It proceeds like standard long division with binary numbers and 1 divided by 1 gives 1, any other combination gives 0.

  • Any remainder is noted and forms part of the binary result.

Practical Use of Binary Arithmetic

  • Binary arithmetic forms the foundation of calculations performed by computers and all electronic devices.

  • Most processor instructions consist of binary arithmetic operations which translate into tasks performed by the computer.

  • Understanding these operations is key to understanding how data is processed in computers.

  • In higher level applications, binary arithmetic plays an important role in the creation of algorithms and methods for operations such as sorting and searching, providing an understanding of algorithm efficiency.