What is Binary? Binary is a two-digit (Base-2) numerical system, which computers use to process and store data. The reason computers use the binary system is because digital switches inside the computer can only be set to either on or off, which are represented by a 1 or 0 http://www.techterms.com/definition/binary

Binary versus Decimal Decimal uses base ten. Every time a number moves to the right in a figure it increases by a power of ten 1 10 100 1000 10000 etc Binary uses base two. Each move to the right increases the value by the power of two. 1 2 4 8 16 32 etc

Binary vs Decimal

Task Use Excel to create a simple table which represents binary numbers. Count up to 20.

Internet task http://www.kerryr.net/pioneers/ascii2.htm Use the table from the web link above to write your name using Binary.

How does Binary relate to storing data? Every 0 & 1 is called one bit Every letter on the keyboard e.g. A, B needs 8 bits. For example A = 10000010 8 bits are called 1 byte ASCII (American standard code for information interchange provides a way to represent characters using numeric codes)

Bytes continued Open a text editor like notepad. Type the words “Welcome back to the new school year”. Save and then check the properties of the file – should be 35 bytes. One for every character.

File Size Table Abbreviation Equivalent to Bytes 1KB (kilobyte) 1,024 bytes 1,024 1MB (Megabyte) 1,024 KB 1,048,576 1GB (Gigabyte) 1,024 MB 1,073,741,824 1 TB (Terabyte) 1,024 GB 1,099,511,627,776 1PB (Petabyte) 1,024 TB 1,125,899,906,842,624 1EB (Exabyte) 1,024 PB 1,152,921,504,606,846,976 1ZB (Zettabyte) 1,024 EB 1,180,591,620,717,411,303,424 1YB (Yottabyte) 1,024 ZB 1,208,925,819,614,629,174,706,176