How to explain binary to this person

[kitkat9933]

I need GD's help on how to explain to someone that you can have a number represented by more than 8 bits in binary.

 

[kitkat9933]

He seems to think every number can be represented in 8 bits. I think he's getting confused with ASCII where ever Alphanumeric character can be represented in 8 bits.

 

[kitkat9933]

After telling me I was wrong and that all numbers can be represented in 8 bits, he then went to a colleague and they both started talking crap about how I was wrong and I don't know anything apparently.

O well guess I don't...

 

[kitkat9933]

Ask him whats the point of 16 bit, and post the response on here.

I tried explaining about 32 bit before he left work but he was still adamant he was right, which is when he started talking about how wrong I was to a colleague.

 

[kitkat9933]

Do you work in local government?

Sorta - In a school =)

 

[kitkat9933]

This. Binary is read right to left in bytes isn't it? 01000000 would be 64.

I believe he means as in 1 or 0 (on or off).