Computing · Stage 6

Binary & Number Representation

Coding & Systems · systems — how computers turn numbers, letters, pictures and sound into patterns of 0s and 1s

✦ Computing📘 Stage 6 · S6⏱ ~13 min🧒 Ages 10–12★ Free to start

I can explain how computers represent numbers and data.

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Kavi Counts on Two Feathers

Kavi the owl had only two feathers free to count with — one held down, one held up. "How can I count everything with just two?" Kavi wondered. Then it clicked: by giving each feather a place value — 1, 2, 4, 8 — Kavi could build any number at all! That is exactly how a computer works. With only 0 and 1, and clever place values, it stores every number, every letter, every photo and every song. "Two is all you need," Kavi hooted, "if you know the places!"

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What your child will learn

1bit, byte, place value, number code, pixelComputers store everything as numbers made of 0s and 1s. Tap each word to see the part it plays.

2What number is 1 0 1 1?To read a binary number, add up the place values wherever there is a 1. Follow the steps.

3Turn binary into our numbers

4A letter and a photo — both just numbersData does not have to be a number to start with. The computer turns it into numbers first, then into 0s and 1s. Tap each card.

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A peek inside

Reading from the right, binary places are worth 1, 2, 4, 8… What number does 1101 mean?

8 + 4 + 0 + 1

Try this at home: In binary, what number does 1 0 0 mean?

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

Start the free lesson →⬇ Download PDF

Part of Computing · Stage 6 · S6 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.