Represent Information with Binary System

Using flags to represent information

Flags can communicate important information, such as distress signals and warnings. One example of using flags to communicate is the practice of flying flags at the full mast or half mast.

One flag

A single flag with two positions (up and down) can be used to convey two distinct messages. For example, a flag flown up high may signify “Advance,” while a lowered flag may signal “Retreat.”

Multiple flags

We use multiple flags to create a larger set of symbols, which allows for transmitting more messages. This is the same as how combining alphabets creates words and sentences.

For example, with two flags, each flag can be assigned one of the two states, having a total of $2*2=4$ ...