Binary Addition

Binary addition follows the same rules as addition in the decimal system except that rather than carrying a
1 over when the values added equal 10, carry over occurs when the result of addition equals 2. Refer to
the example below for clarification.
Note that in the binary system:
0+0=0
0+1=1
1+0=1
1 + 1 = 0, carry over the 1, i.e. 10
EX:
1
0 11 11 10 1
+ 1 0 1 1 1
= 1 0 0 1 0 0
The only real difference between binary and decimal addition is that the value 2 in the binary system is
the equivalent of 10 in the decimal system. Note that the superscripted 1's represent digits that are
carried over. A common mistake to watch out for when conducting binary addition is in the case where 1 +
1 = 0 also has a 1 carried over from the previous column to its right. The value at the bottom should then
be 1 from the carried over 1 rather than 0. This can be observed in the third column from the right in the
above example.

Binary Subtraction

Similarly to binary addition, there is little difference between binary and decimal subtraction except those
that arise from using only the digits 0 and 1. Borrowing occurs in any instance where the number that is
subtracted is larger than the number it is being subtracted from. In binary subtraction, the only case where
borrowing is necessary is when 1 is subtracted from 0. When this occurs, the 0 in the borrowing
column essentially becomes "2" (changing the 0-1 into 2-1 = 1) while reducing the 1 in the column
being borrowed from by 1. If the following column is also 0, borrowing will have to occur from each
subsequent column until a column with a value of 1 can be reduced to 0. Refer to the example below for
clarification.
Note that in the binary system:
0-0=0
0 - 1 = 1, borrow 1, resulting in -1 carried over
1-0=1
1-1=0
EX1:
-1
1 20 1 1 1
0 1 1 0 1
= 0 1 0 1 0
EX2:
-1 2-1
1 0 0
0 1 1
= 0 0 1
Note that the superscripts displayed are the changes that occur to each bit when borrowing. The
borrowing column essentially obtains 2 from borrowing, and the column that is borrowed from is reduced
by 1.
Binary Multiplication

Binary multiplication is arguably simpler than its decimal counterpart. Since the only values used are 0
and 1, the results that must be added are either the same as the first term, or 0. Note that in each
subsequent row, placeholder 0's need to be added, and the value shifted to the left, just like in decimal
multiplication. The complexity in binary multiplication arises from tedious binary addition dependent on
how many bits are in each term. Refer to the example below for clarification.
Note that in the binary system:
00=0
01=0
10=0
11=1
EX:
10111
11
10111
+ 101110
= 1000101
As can be seen in the example above, the process of binary multiplication is the same as it is in decimal
multiplication. Note that the 0 placeholder is written in the second line. Typically the 0 placeholder is not
visually present in decimal multiplication. While the same can be done in this example (with the 0
placeholder being assumed rather than explicit), it is included in this example because the 0 is relevant
for any binary addition / subtraction calculator, like the one provided on this page. Without the 0 being
shown, it would be possible to make the mistake of excluding the 0 when adding the binary values
displayed above. Note again that in the binary system, any 0 to the right of a 1 is relevant, while any 0 to
the left of the last 1 in the value is not.
EX:
10101100
=0010101100
1010110000

Binary Division

The process of binary division is similar to long division in the decimal system. The dividend is still divided
by the divisor in the same manner, with the only significant difference being the use of binary rather than
decimal subtraction. Note that a good understanding of binary subtraction is important for conducting
binary division. Refer to the example below, as well as to the binary subtraction section for clarification.