A system for representing both positive and negative integers in binary format, this method utilizes a fixed number of bits. For instance, using eight bits, the decimal number 5 is represented as 00000101. Its negative counterpart, -5, is derived by inverting all the bits (11111010) and adding 1, resulting in 11111011. This approach simplifies computer arithmetic, allowing subtraction to be performed using addition circuitry.
This representation offers significant advantages in digital systems. It eliminates the need for separate circuits to handle addition and subtraction, streamlining hardware design and improving computational efficiency. Developed in the early days of computing, it became a cornerstone of digital arithmetic, enabling computers to handle signed numbers efficiently. Its adoption paved the way for more complex mathematical operations within the constraints of binary systems.
