View source for Power of two

In [[mathematics]], a '''power of two''' means a '''number''' of the form 2n where n is an [[integer]], i.e. the result of [[exponentiation]] with [[number two]] as the [[base]] and integer n as the [[exponent]].

== Description ==

In a context where only [[Integer|integers]] are considered, n is restricted to [[Non-negative value|non-negative values]], so we have 1, 2, and 2 [[Multiplication|multiplied]] by itself a certain number of times.

Because two is the base of the [[binary numeral system]], powers of two are common in [[computer science]].

Written in binary, a power of two always has the form 100…000 or 0.00…001, just like a [[power of ten]] in the [[decimal system]].

== See also ==

* [[Binary]]
* [[Binary numeral system]]
* [[Bit]]
* [[Computer science]]
* [[Decimal system]]
* [[Exponentiation]]
* [[Mathematics]]
* [[Power of ten]]

== External links ==

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_of_two Power of two] @ Wikipedia