The main advantage of using the Gray code is:

a) only one digit changes as the number increases.

b) it can be easily converted to decimal numbers.

c) large decimal numbers can be written using fewer digits.

d) it uses the number 2 as its base.

a) only one digit changes as the number increases.

Explanation:

Let us first understand what does it mean when we say only one digit changes as the number increases using the Reflected Binary code (also called Gray code)

consider the 4 bit representation of Binary coded decimal and RB codes

Decimal | Binary code | Reflected binary (RB) code

0 0000 0000

1 0001 0001

2 0010 0011

3 0011 0010

4 0100 0110

5 0101 0111

As you can see in the case of binary codes, there are more than one digit changes between two consecutive numbers.

But notice that in the case of Gray codes, there is always one digit change between two consecutive numbers.

The problem with the binary codes is that the more digits change there states the greater is the chance of ending up with random transitional values rather than real values which can be incorrect. The RB code solves this problem by only changing one digit at a time.

The RB code is widely used in linear and rotary encoders, error correction and digital logic design.