Do you use a computer frequently? If you consider all the various gadgets you utilize on a daily basis, you will probably realize that you use more computers than you think. Apart from the laptop or desktop computers you use at school or home, you may also use calculators, smartphones, tablets, music players, e-readers, DVRs, video games, and various other devices.
In today’s technology-driven world, it is difficult to avoid computer usage. In fact, we believe that many of our Wonder Friends will eventually work in occupations that require constant computer usage. Some of you may even construct computers or write code to create software, video games, and smartphone applications!
When you study basic computer programming, you learn early on that virtually everything that enters (input) or exits (output) a computer consists of a sequence of 0s and 1s. This is the essence of digital data, and it is based on the binary system.
When you learn mathematics in school, you use a base-10 number system. This means that your number system consists of 10 digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. When you add one to nine, you shift the 1 one place to the left into the tens position and place a 0 in the ones position: 10.
On the other hand, the binary system is a base-2 number system. This means that it only uses two numbers: 0 and 1. When you add one to one, you shift the 1 one place to the left into the twos position and place a 0 in the ones position: 10. So, in a base-10 system, 10 equals ten. In a base-2 system, 10 equals two.
In the base-10 system that you are familiar with, the place values begin with ones and progress to tens, hundreds, and thousands as you move to the left. This is because the system is based on powers of 10.
Similarly, in a base-2 system, the place values begin with ones and progress to twos, fours, and eights as you move to the left. This is because the base-2 system is based on powers of two. Each binary digit is referred to as a bit.
Do not worry if the binary system seems confusing right now. It is quite easy to grasp once you work with it for a while. It only appears confusing at first because all numbers are composed of only 0s and 1s. The familiar base-10 system is as simple as 1-2-3, while the base-2 binary system is as simple as 1-10-11.
You may WONDER why computers use the binary system. Computers and other electronic systems operate faster and more efficiently using the binary system, because the system’s use of only two numbers is easily replicated with an on/off system.
Electricity is either on or off, so devices can use an on/off switch within electric circuits to process binary information easily. For instance, off can be represented by 0 and on can be represented by 1.
Every letter, number, and symbol on a keyboard is represented by an eight-bit binary number. For example, the letter A is actually 01000001 in terms of your computer!
To help you develop a better understanding of the binary system and how it relates to the decimal system you are familiar with, here is how the decimal numbers 1-10 appear in binary:
1 = 1
2 = 10
3 = 11
4 = 100
5 = 101
6 = 110
7 = 111
8 = 1000
9 = 1001
10 = 1010
Give it a Try
Are you prepared to expand your knowledge about the potential of 0s and 1s? Enlist the assistance of a friend or family member to engage in the following activities:
- Feeling inclined to be creative? You can acquire a deeper understanding of binary numbers and how computers utilize them in their code through the enjoyable Binary Code Necklace activity. This activity requires a few materials and the guidance of an adult family member or friend.
- Interested in learning a secret code that allows you to communicate numbers with your friends? All you need to do is learn how to count binary numbers using your hands! Take a look at the Binary Fingers activity to delve into this further!
- Go online and explore the Computer Code activity to gain more insight into how binary numbers are employed in creating computer code. Isn’t it incredible to consider that everything you witness on a computer ultimately boils down to a sequence of 0s and 1s? Isn’t technology remarkable?
Sources of Wonder
- http://www.ducksters.com/kidsmath/binary_numbers_basics.php
- https://www.mathsisfun.com/binary-number-system.html
- https://www.kidscodecs.com/a-binary-numbers-tutorial-with-1-and-0/
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