> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cs.brash.ca/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cs.brash.ca/unit-1/binary-and-logic.md).

# Binary & Logic

### How does a computer ***compute***? <a href="#how-does-a-computer-compute" id="how-does-a-computer-compute"></a>

Before the [**`digital`**](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/digital) computer, wheels and cogs were used in [**`analog`**](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analog) calculating machines. These were clunky and required manipulation by hand. They were also slow.

![X-15 Analog computer via Wikimedia Commons](/files/-LKmNc4NWx3FdCnjSpYu)

Electricity travels very close to the speed of light (slowed by the physical wires transporting the electrons). If we can use electricity to add, subtract, multiply, and divide then we can quickly compute any combination of mathematics - close to the speed of light! **But how do we use flowing electrons to do math?**


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://cs.brash.ca/unit-1/binary-and-logic.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
