What is the maximum decimal value for an unsigned 8-bit binary number?

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Multiple Choice

What is the maximum decimal value for an unsigned 8-bit binary number?

Explanation:
Using eight bits to represent an unsigned number gives 2^8 = 256 distinct values, starting at 0. The largest value occurs when every bit is 1, i.e., 11111111 in binary. That binary pattern equals 2^7 + 2^6 + ... + 2^0 = 255. So the maximum decimal value is 255. A value of 256 would need a ninth bit (100000000). The number 127 is the maximum for an eight-bit signed representation (two's complement), and 512 would require even more bits.

Using eight bits to represent an unsigned number gives 2^8 = 256 distinct values, starting at 0. The largest value occurs when every bit is 1, i.e., 11111111 in binary. That binary pattern equals 2^7 + 2^6 + ... + 2^0 = 255. So the maximum decimal value is 255. A value of 256 would need a ninth bit (100000000). The number 127 is the maximum for an eight-bit signed representation (two's complement), and 512 would require even more bits.

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