Hi,
If the number is a byte your must see the bit 7. It's the sign of the number! It's is 1 then it's a negative number. And of course, if it's 0 then it's a positive number.
Negative numbers are always in 2 complement.
How can you "read" that representation? Easy
-4 = 1111 1100
Discard the bit 7 (the sign of the number). Then you'll have:
111 1100
Invert the pattern:
000 0011
Add 1 bit
000 0100
And now you have a number 4.. but.. but.. do you remember the sign? Yes! And now you have -4.