Powers of Two

The powers of 2 appear everywhere in technology: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024. Memorizing these up to 2 to the 10th (1,024) helps with computer science, photography (ISO settings), and reading file sizes at a glance.

Notice how slowly they start and how fast they climb. The first ten steps barely pass a thousand, yet only ten more steps (2²⁰) clear a million. That early calm followed by a sudden surge is the signature of every doubling process — and why a small, ignored growth rate can blindside you later.