How many different states can a single bit represent?

A single bit can represent two different states: 0 and 1. This binary system is the foundation of all digital communication and computing, where each bit acts as the smallest unit of data. The two states allow for the representation of multiple conditions or values through combinations of bits. For example, if you have a single bit, you can only toggle between these two states, hence its ability to represent just two distinct conditions. The concept of binary is crucial in computer science and digital circuit design, as it allows for the encoding of more complex data structures by combining multiple bits.