A specific method for performing binary arithmetic involves inverting the bits of a number and adding it to another. For example, to subtract 5 (represented as 0101 in 4-bit binary) from 10 (1010), the complement of 5 (1010) is added to 10 (1010), resulting in 10100. The carry-out bit (leftmost ‘1’) is then added back to the least significant bit, yielding 0101, which is 5 in decimal.
This technique simplifies hardware design for arithmetic logic units in computers, particularly for subtraction operations. Historically, it was crucial in early computing due to its efficiency in implementing arithmetic circuits. While modern systems often utilize more advanced techniques like two’s complement, understanding this method provides valuable insights into the evolution of computer arithmetic.
