Which of the following best describes binary numbers?

Binary numbers are best described as a base-2 numeral system. This means they utilize only two symbols, typically 0 and 1, to represent all numeric values. In the binary system, each digit represents a power of 2, allowing for efficient representation of data in digital systems, as computers and various electronic devices operate using binary logic.

This base-2 approach is fundamental in computing, as it aligns with the on/off state of electronic circuits, representing higher-level instructions and data in a form that machines can understand and process easily. Understanding the binary system is crucial in fields like computer science, electronics, and aviation maintenance, where numerical representation of data is essential for programming, designing circuits, and troubleshooting systems.