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 as base the number two and as exponent the integer n.

In a context where only integers are considered, n is restricted to non-negative values, so we have 1, 2, and 2 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…0 or 0.00…01, just like a power of ten in the decimal system.

Read more about Power Of Two:  Expressions and Notations, Computer Science, Mersenne Primes, Euclid's Elements, Book IX, The First 96 Powers of Two, Powers of 1024, Powers of Two Whose Exponents Are Powers of Two, Some Selected Powers of Two, Fast Algorithm To Check If A Positive Number Is A Power of Two, Algorithm To Convert Any Number Into Nearest Power of Two Number, Algorithm To Round Up To Power of Two, Other Properties

Famous quotes containing the words power of and/or power:

    If we can learn ... to look at the ways in which various groups appropriate and use the mass-produced art of our culture ... we may well begin to understand that although the ideological power of contemporary cultural forms is enormous, indeed sometimes even frightening, that power is not yet all-pervasive, totally vigilant, or complete.
    Janice A. Radway (b. 1949)

    The power confided in me will be used to hold, occupy and possess the property and places belonging to the government, and to collect the duties and imposts.
    Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)