GCSE Computer Science (9-1)
The Binary Number System
Introduction
When learning about ‘data representation’ we understand the importance and versatility
of binary numbers and how binary is used to store data in computer systems.
Numbers
Text
Images
Sound
Instructions
…are all stored in binary and we will understand how this is done!
It is fairly easy to understand how numbers are stored in binary format in computer
systems. But what about text, images and sound? The key thing to remember is that text,
images and sound are all converted into numbers before they are stored in computers in
binary form.
Why Binary?
Computers are made up of switches. They are either on (1) or off (0). Computers therefore
cannot physically represent any more than 2 numbers (0 and 1). So any type of data that
the computer deals with HAS to be converted into a binary number for the computer to
process it.
So what is the Binary Number System?
Because humans have 10 fingers, we count using a denary number system (base 10):
When we count we start at zero and keep adding 1. We have digits to represent each
number up to 9. But after that something interesting happens. When we get to ten there is
no single digit to represent that number. Instead we record that we have counted to ten
by placing a 1 in the 10s column and then we simply restart counting from zero up to 9
again in the units column. When we get to 100, we make a record of it by placing a 1 in
the 100s column…and so on!
The binary system is very similar to our denary number system, however, instead of the
columns representing (from right to left) ones (units), tens, hundreds etc. the binary system
columns represent ones, twos, fours, eights etc.
So when we count in binary we only use 2 digits (1 and 0). We start at zero and keep
adding 1. But as we have no digit for 2, we place a 1 in the twos column and restart
counting from zero in the ones column. Study the following images to show how we count
up to 5 in binary.
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Fours Twos Ones
0 0 0 =
Fours Twos Ones
0 0 1 =
Fours Twos Ones
0 1 0 =
Fours Twos Ones
0 1 1 =
Fours Twos Ones
1 0 0 =
Fours Twos Ones
1 0 1 =
Binary Units
In the binary system we have some special names that we give binary numbers of
different length.
A Bit
The basic unit is 0 or 1. This is a binary digit….also known as a bit. A bit can store one of 2
numbers (0 and 1).
A Nibble
A group of 4 bits (1/2 a byte) is known as a nibble.
A Byte
A group of 8 bits is known as a byte. A byte can store one of 256 numbers
A Kilobyte
Just like the traditional number system, binary also use the word kilo to represent 1000. (eg:
kilobyte = 1000 bytes)
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Some more important units:
Putting these units into context
A sentence in a document
A few bytes
A document with several pages
A few kilobytes (kb)
An audio file
A few megabytes (mb)
A movie file
A few gigabytes (gb)
Converting Binary Numbers
In your exam you will be expected to be able to convert a denary number (the numbers
humans work with (base 10) into binary…
…and back again.
Converting from Binary to Denary (easy)
If you are given a binary number which is to be converted into denary do the following:
1. Above each bit, write the value of that bit.
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2. Then simply add the values where there is a 1 underneath, together.
Converting from Denary to Binary
Converting from denary to binary is also quite straight forward.
If we wanted to convert 202 into binary we would do the following:
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So 202 in binary is:
…quick conversion back to denary to check its correct:
Adding 8-bit binary numbers
Adding binary numbers is much like adding denary numbers (the system we use as
humans).
Things to remember:
1. Keep your numbers in the correct columns
2. 1+1 = 10 in binary
3. 1+1+1 = 11 in binary
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A quick check…
Overflow Errors
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If the last part of the addition means that there is a carry, we simply place it as the first
number.
This will mean that the answer is a 9-bit answer.
Because the largest number we can hold in a byte is 255, if we add two bytes together
there is a chance that the answer will be greater than 255.
O
This answer will not be able to be held in a byte and so this causes an overflow error. In
modern computers, CPU’s can hold much larger numbers so this is dealt with. Ever heard
of a 32 or 64 bit processor? – these can deal with larger binary numbers! However you do
need to know that overflow errors occur when doing binary addition when the answer is 9
bits in length.
Binary Shifts
Below is an example of a left bit shift of 1 place.
What do you notice?
A binary shift is a neat way of multiplying or dividing a number in powers of two.
Each time a LEFT BINARY SHIFT occurs, the number will double in size.
Each time a RIGHT BINARY SHIFT occurs, the number will half in size.
‘LEFT’ Binary Shifts (Multiplying by powers of 2)
Below is another example of left bit shifting.
Notice how as each of the bits shift to the left, any gaps created from the right are filled
with a zero.
‘RIGHT’ Binary Shifts (Dividing by powers of 2)
Below is an example of right bit shifting.
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Notice how as each of the bits shift to the right, any gaps created from the left are filled
with a zero and as bits move to the right and off the edge, they are ignored.
Questions (The question zone you choose must either match your target grade or be higher!)
Question Zone 1-3
1. What types of data does a computer have to represent and why can it only represent this data in binary? [3]
2. What are the denary values of the following binary numbers?
a. 01101100 [1]
b. 10011010 [1]
c. 11000001 [1]
d. 01111100 [1]
e. 11110000 [1]
3. What are the binary values of the following binary additions?
a. 00110011 + 01001100 [1]
b. 01100111 + 01000110 [1]
c. 10010011 + 01010000 [1]
d. 01110111 + 11111100 [1]
e. 01110011 + 11011100 [1]
Question Zone 4-6
1. What are the binary values of the following binary additions?
a. 00110011 + 01001100 [1]
b. 01100111 + 01000110 [1]
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c. 10010011 + 01010000 [1]
d. 00110111 + 10111100 [1]
e. 01110011 + 11011100 [1]
2. Convert the following denary values into binary.
a. 13 [1]
b. 52 [1]
c. 99 [1]
d. 132 [1]
e. 174 [1]
3. Rewrite the following calculations in binary and work out the answers to the binary additions:
a. 12 + 42 [2]
b. 32 + 18 [2]
c. 102 + 21 [2]
d. 129 + 48 [2]
e. 181 + 51 [2]
Questions Zone 7-9
1. Rewrite the following calculations in binary and work out the answers to the binary additions:
a. 12 + 42 [2]
b. 32 + 18 [2]
c. 102 + 21 [2]
d. 129 + 48 [2]
e. 181 + 51 [2]
2. Write the missing binary numbers for each of the following additions.
a. 01101100 + ________ = 10010111
b. 00111000 + ________ = 01111111
c. 10011001 + ________ = 11110001
d. 01111000 + ________ = 10001111
e. 10111000 + ________ = 11100000
3. If an 8bit CPU contains registers that can store 256 different possible values (including zero), how many possible
values can a 64bit CPU register store?[2]
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Checklist: Keywords / Key Terms:
Date and Bit: A single binary digit (i.e.: 0
title clearly or 1).
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• State/Identify/Give/Name: Simply label a
diagram, fill out a table or write a few words
• Describe: Describing is ‘saying what you see’
(E.G.: A computer will have a CPU, Primary and
S d t t )
Stick answer sheet here
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On /
My revision strategy was
My answers contained
I need to improve my
My answers didn’t
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