twoscomplementnotation
nounUK /ˌtuːz ˈkɒmplɪmənt nəʊˈteɪʃən/
US /ˌtuːz ˈkɑːmpləmənt noʊˈteɪʃən/
A way computers write numbers so they can add and subtract easily.
The programmer used twos complement notation to store negative numbers in the computer.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A method of encoding signed integers in binary where the most significant bit indicates the sign.
In twos complement notation, the number -1 is represented as all ones.
3. A system that allows subtraction to be performed by adding the complement of a number.
Twos complement notation simplifies hardware design by avoiding separate subtraction circuits.
4. A binary representation where flipping all bits and adding one gives the negative of a number.
To negate a value in twos complement notation, invert every bit and add one.