- #1
transgalactic
- 1,395
- 0
why kbyte=2^10 ??
a byte=2^8
kilo=1000
2^8 * 1000 differs 2^10
??
a byte=2^8
kilo=1000
2^8 * 1000 differs 2^10
??
Understanding the Difference Between a Byte and a Kilo: 2^8 vs 2^10
- Thread starter transgalactic
- Start date
In summary, the reason why kilobyte is equal to 2^10 is because someone decided to use powers of 2 for binary-based computer usage. This led to 2^10 being used as the "kilo" prefix, along with other prefixes like "mega", "giga", and "tera". However, the International Electrotechnical Commission has tried to clarify this confusion by introducing new prefixes, such as the kibibyte which is equal to 1024 bytes. These new prefixes have not been widely adopted.
- #2
rcgldr
Homework Helper
- 8,889
- 650
Someone decided that for binary based computer usage, it would be better to state everything values close to powers of 2. Since 2^10 is 1024, and close to 1000, it became "kilo". Similarly 2^20 is "mega", 2^30 is "giga", and 2^40 is "tera".
- #3
transgalactic
- 1,395
- 0
ok 1024 combinations is kbit
not
kbyte
- #4
jtbell
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 15,990
- 6,553
The International Electrotechnical Commission has tried to resolve this confusion by defining a new set of binary-based prefixes, e.g. 1 kibibyte = 1024 bytes.
See this Wikipedia article for more details.
Personally, I think "kibibyte" sounds like a brand of dog food.
- #5
CRGreathouse
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 2,845
- 0
jtbell said:
which have been almost universally ignored.
FAQ: Understanding the Difference Between a Byte and a Kilo: 2^8 vs 2^10
What is a byte?
A byte is a unit of digital information that is made up of 8 bits. It is the basic unit of measurement for computer memory and storage capacity.
What is a kilobyte?
A kilobyte is a unit of digital information that is made up of 1024 bytes. It is equal to 2^10 or 1,024 bytes.
What is the difference between a byte and a kilobyte?
The main difference between a byte and a kilobyte is their size. A byte is smaller and contains 8 bits, while a kilobyte is larger and contains 1024 bytes or 2^10 bytes.
How are bytes and kilobytes used in computing?
Bytes and kilobytes are used to measure and represent the amount of digital information that can be stored or transferred in a computer system. They are used to measure storage capacity, memory, and data transfer rates.
Why do we use 2^10 for kilobytes instead of 10^3?
Computers use a binary system (base 2) to store and process data, so it makes more sense to use powers of 2 when measuring digital information. Using 2^10 for kilobytes allows for easier conversion between different units of measurement, such as kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes.