Should I arrange a binary before I solve it with any arithmetic operations?

Question

Hi so I'm curious about binaries, all that I've seen examples of videos and pictures in the Internet are "arranged", this is what I mean:
1010 +
1100
_____

So now, I'm curious if I should "arrange" it, if an "unarranged" set of binaries was there in the first place? Example:
1010 +
1100
______

Should I arrange the above example? Or I'll solve it as it is?

Answer 1

Place value is as important in binary as it is in decimal. If you misalign the columns you will get wrong results - that is, unless there is a purpose for shifting the columns.

In decimal (base 10), each shift to the left by 1 column multiplies the number by 10. Each shift to the right by 1 column divides by 10.

Likewise in binary (base 2), each shift to the left by 1 column multiplies the number by 2. Each shift to the right by 1 column divides by 2.

Whether you should shift the columns depends on the context. Do you intend to multiply/divide by the base before adding the values?

Answer 2

Brian thanks for your answer, I really appreciated it

Oh for your question, I don't intend to multiply/divide by the base, I just want to add it up hehehehe.

Anyway thanks again for the information.