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Ignition Learning — Activity Sheet

Binary & data

Technologies · Year 8

Name: ______________________Date: ____________

Computers only understand two states — on and off — so all data they store is represented using binary, a number system made up of just 0s and 1s. Each single 0 or 1 is called a bit (short for 'binary digit'). Group 8 bits together and you get a byte, the standard unit computers use to represent things like a single character of text.

Example

The number 5 in binary is 101 — that's the same number, just written using only 0s and 1s instead of our usual base-10 digits.

Key terms

Bit:: A single binary digit — a 0 or a 1.
Byte:: 8 bits grouped together.
Binary:: A number system using only 0s and 1s.

Questions

1. Binary numbers are made up of only:
- 0s and 1s
- 0-9
- Letters
- Colours
2. A single 0 or 1 is called a:
- Byte
- Bit
- Pixel
- File
3. Computers understand information as combinations of:
- On and off signals
- Colours
- Sounds
- Smells
4. 8 bits grouped together make a:
- Bit
- Byte
- Pixel
- Folder
5. Binary is a number system with only how many digits?
- 2
- 10
- 16
- 100
6. Our everyday number system (0-9) is called:
- Binary
- Base 10
- Base 2
- Base 16
7. A light switch being either 'on' or 'off' is similar to how computers use:
- Binary
- Colour
- Sound
- Smell
8. Computers store data using:
- Letters only
- Binary (0s and 1s)
- Decimal numbers
- Hex only
9. A single binary digit is called a:
- Byte
- Bit
- Pixel
- Node
10. How many bits make up a byte?
- 4
- 8
- 10
- 16
11. Binary is based on which number system?
- Base 10
- Base 2
- Base 16
- Base 8
12. Which of these is a valid binary number?
- 101
- 257
- abc
- 3.14
13. A photo, song or document stored on a computer is ultimately stored as:
- Binary data
- Paper
- Paint
- Sound waves only
14. Why do computers use binary instead of our normal 0-9 number system?
- It's easier for humans to read
- Electronic circuits can easily represent two states (on/off)
- Binary uses more digits
- No real reason
15. If 8 bits make 1 byte, how many bits are in 2 bytes?
- 8
- 10
- 16
- 64
16. A single letter of text stored on a computer typically takes up about:
- 1 bit
- 1 byte
- 1 kilobyte
- 1 gigabyte
17. Why is binary well-suited to how computer circuits actually work?
- Circuits can easily be either on or off, matching binary's two digits
- Circuits can be many different states at once
- Binary is easier for computers to read as English
- No connection at all
18. A file described as '2 megabytes' contains roughly how much data compared to a '2 kilobyte' file?
- About the same
- Much more data
- Much less data
- No difference
19. Which everyday analogy best represents binary's two states?
- A dimmer switch with many brightness levels
- A simple light switch that's either on or off
- A rainbow with many colours
- A thermometer with many temperatures
20. Images and video need far more storage space than plain text mostly because:
- Images and video require far more binary data to represent than simple text
- Images use letters instead of binary
- Text files are always bigger
- There is no difference in data size
21. Storage units like kilobytes, megabytes and gigabytes exist because each is:
- A random new unit with no pattern
- Built from grouping smaller units of binary data together
- Unrelated to bits and bytes
- Only used for very old computers

Answer key (parent copy)

1. 0s and 1s
2. Bit
3. On and off signals
4. Byte
5. 2
6. Base 10
7. Binary
8. Binary (0s and 1s)
9. Bit
10. 8
11. Base 2
12. 101
13. Binary data
14. Electronic circuits can easily represent two states (on/off)
15. 16
16. 1 byte
17. Circuits can easily be either on or off, matching binary's two digits
18. Much more data
19. A simple light switch that's either on or off
20. Images and video require far more binary data to represent than simple text
21. Built from grouping smaller units of binary data together