BBC - GCSE Computer Science - Introducing binary - Revision 3 http://www.bbc.co.

uk/education/guides/zwsbwmn/revision/3

Bitesize

Tell us what you think

1. Levels
1. Primary
1. KS1
2. Early and 1st level
3. KS2
4. 2nd level
2. Secondary
1. 3rd level
1. Home 2. 4th level
2. GCSE 3. CA3
3. Computing 4. KS3
4. Binary and data 5.
representation
GCSE
6. National 4
2. All subjects 7. National 5
8. Nàiseanta 4
9. Nàiseanta 5
10. TGAU
11. Higher

All computer data is represented using binary, a number system that uses 0s and 1s. Binary digits can be grouped together into bytes. There are two popular methods for converting binary to denary.

Revise
Test

Binary and denary

The binary system on computers uses combinations of 0s and 1s.
In everyday life, we use numbers based on combinations of the digits between 0 and 9. This counting system is known as decimal, denary or base 10.
A number base indicates how many digits are available within a numerical system. Denary is known as base 10 because there are ten choices of digits between 0 and 9. For binary numbers there are only two possible digits available: 0
or 1. The binary system is also known as base 2.
All denary numbers have a binary equivalent and it is possible to convert between denary and binary.

1 of 3 01/03/2015 13:48
BBC - GCSE Computer Science - Introducing binary - Revision 3 http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zwsbwmn/revision/3

Glossary
More Guides
1. Introducing binary
2. Numbers and binary addition
3. Hexadecimal and character sets
4. Encoding images
5. Encoding audio and video
6. Instructions
Links
BBC Click
BBC Webwise
BBC Technology news
Let's Talk About Tech

Code Academy
Khan Academy
W3 Schools
Code
Learn Python
Email
GCSE Subjects
1. Architecture
2. Art and Design
3. Biology
4. Business
5. Chemistry
6. Computing
7. Design and Technology
8. Drama
9. Electronics
10. Engineering
11. English
12. English Literature
13. Food Technology
14. French
15. Geography

2 of 3 01/03/2015 13:48
BBC - GCSE Computer Science - Introducing binary - Revision 3 http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/guides/zwsbwmn/revision/3

16. German
17. Graphics
18. History
19. ICT
20. Mandarin
21. Maths
22. Media Studies
23. Modern Foreign Languages
24. Music
25. Physical Education
26. Physics
27. Product Design
28. PSHE and Citizenship
29. Religious Studies
30. Resistant Materials
31. Science
32. Sociology
33. Spanish
34. Systems and Control
35. Textiles
36. Welsh (Learners)

Languages:
1. Cymraeg
2. Gaeilge
3. Gàidhlig

View all glossary terms from this study guide

3 of 3 01/03/2015 13:48