largest decimal value and why

jp_2031 | 12:47 Sat 24th Nov 2007 | Computers

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What is the decimal value of the largest integer that can be represented by a byte in a computer that caters for both positive and negative integers? Why is it diffrent from using just positive numbers?

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rojash

You can work this out yourself:
A byte is 8 bits so can normally represent 2^8 - 1. But in order to indicate that the number is negative, you are going to need to use one of those bits, thus leaving only 7 bits to indicate the value.

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