Question

This question not probably not typical stackoverflow but am not sure where to ask this small question of mine.

Problem:

Find the number of bits in the binary representation of decimal number 16?

Now I tried to solve this one using the formula $2^n = 16 \Rightarrow n = 4$ but the correct answer as suggested by my module is 5. Could anybody explain how ?

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After reading some answer,(and also I have 10 more mints before I could accept the correct answer)I think this is probably an explanation,that will be consistent to the mathematical formula,

For representing 16 we need to represent 17 symbols (0,16), hence $2^n = 17 \Rightarrow n = 4.08746$ but as n need to be an integer then $n = 5$

Answer 1

Think of how binary works:

Bit 1: Add 1
Bit 2: Add 2
Bit 3: Add 4
Bit 4: Add 8
Bit 5: Add 16

Thus 16 would be: 10000