5. Signed-magnitude binary

Signed magnitude

Signed-magnitude binary

Signed magntiude is where negative numbers can be represented by specifying a sign in the [[Most significant bit|most significant bit]].

For example:

• $01101$ signed magnitude is $+13$.
• $11011$ signed magnitude is $-11$.

Advantages:

• Signed magnitude is simple and intuitive.
• It’s easy to convert unsigned numbers to positive signed values.

Disadvantages:

• Sign bit makes it difficult to perform arithmetic.
• There are two representations of $0$.

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