PYQ Vault

NDA Maths · Free notes

Binary Numbers — NDA Maths

Binary Numbers is a small but reliable chapter: 14 PYQs span 2017–2026, and almost every one rewards the same first move — translate the binary strings into ordinary decimal, do the easy arithmetic there, and (if asked) translate the answer back. The marks are rarely in the binary itself; they are in spotting that a question dressed up in base 2 is really a one-line place-value conversion, a simple division, or a familiar algebra identity. The notes teach in three movements, foundations first: (1) Binary to Decimal Conversion — what base 2 means, why place values are powers of 2, converting a binary string to decimal, and converting decimal back to binary by repeated division; (2) Binary Arithmetic — adding, subtracting and dividing in binary (and the unknown-digit puzzles that hide an addition), plus the recurring cube identities where the numbers just happen to be given in binary; (3) Binary Representation and Number Theory — counting/representing numbers and the few modular-arithmetic and perfect-square recall items the chapter files here. Convert-first is the chapter's centre of gravity: master decimal ↔ binary, and the rest is arithmetic you already know. Every PYQ is tagged.

The handout has every subtopic, worked example, formula and trap with answers shown. The formula sheet is the chapter’s formulas and traps alone, on one page.

Subtopic notes

Formula & revision sheet

8 formulas · 13 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet

Binary ↔ Decimal Conversion

Formulas (3)

Watch out for (5)

Binary Arithmetic — Addition, Division & Algebraic Identities

Formulas (3)

Watch out for (5)

Binary Representation & Number Theory

Formulas (2)

Watch out for (3)

PYQ weightage by concept

8 concepts · 14 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first

Binary ↔ Decimal Conversion3 PYQs · 21%
ConceptPYQsShare
Converting Binary to Decimal214%
Converting Decimal to Binary17%
What Base 2 Means — Place Values Are Powers of 2foundation——
Binary Arithmetic — Addition, Division & Algebraic Identities7 PYQs · 50%
ConceptPYQsShare
Binary Addition, Subtraction & Unknown-Digit Puzzles321%
Binary Division — Quotient and Remainder214%
Algebraic Identities with Binary-Given Values214%
Binary Representation & Number Theory4 PYQs · 29%
ConceptPYQsShare
Number-Theory One-Liners — Remainder Cycles & Sum of Odd Numbers321%
Representing a Number in Binary & Counting Its Bits17%

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