The binary form can be used to represent all sorts of things

The binary form can be used to represent all sorts of things. For example, suppose fiv e judges can vote either yes or no on an issue.

a. Find the minimum number of bits required to represent the collective vote, that is, to record all of the individual votes.

b. Repeat for the situation in which each judge can vote yes, no, or abstain

Solution

A. To have five values in binary form you need at least 3 digits so that 101 is equal to 5.