How many bits would you need if you wanted to have the ability to count up to 1000?

For every bit you can record two possible data and the amount will increase by rate 2^x where x is the number of bit. To answer this question, you need to know what is the least amount 2^x that will be enough to record 1000 possibilities.

To do this, it is easier to divide the number with 32 for 5 bits (2^5=32), then divide it with 2 for 1 bit until it less than 1. The calculation would be: 1000/32 = 31.25 / 32 = 0.976.

The answer would be 5 bit + 5bit = 10 bit. (2^10 = 1024)