Definition of binary

The word "binary" comes from the Latin prefix "bi-," meaning two, and the suffix "-ary," which indicates something has two possible values or states. In mathematics and computing, binary refers specifically to a number system that uses only two digits, 0 and 1, rather than the more familiar decimal system with digits 0-9. This binary system is a fundamental concept in modern digital technologies, allowing for the representation of data and instructions using a sequence of 0s and 1s. The concepts of binary digits, or bits, and binary arithmetic have become essential terms in the field of computer science and are used to describe various aspects of computer hardware, software, and algorithms.