What is a bit in information theory?

In information theory, one bit is the information entropy of a random binary variable that is 0 or 1 with equal probability, or the information that is gained when the value of such a variable becomes known. As a unit of information, the bit is also known as a shannon, named after Claude E. Shannon .

How do you calculate the number of bits?

The above method can be stated another way: the number of bits is the exponent of the smallest power of two greater than your number. You can state that mathematically as: log2(n) means the logarithm in base 2 of n, which is the exponent to which 2 is raised to get n. For example, log 2 (123) ≈ 6.9425145.

What is a group of 8 bits called?

A group of eight bits is called one byte, but historically the size of the byte is not strictly defined. Frequently, half, full, double and quadruple words consist of a number of bytes which is a low power of two. A string of four bits is usually a nibble .

What is a string of 4 bits called?

A string of four bits is usually a nibble . In information theory, one bit is the information entropy of a random binary variable that is 0 or 1 with equal probability, or the information that is gained when the value of such a variable becomes known.