The Binary Number

Takeaway System
E S P > Software Programming>
Level A1.1 Pre - Starter

Instructor: Date:

Learner: Regional Branch:

Program: Center:

CONTENT
• Let’s Start! • Let’s Explore! • Let’s Practice! • Extension Activity • Target Words • Learning Points

Let’s Start!

Are binary and decimal number systems really essential in programming?

1001001001000001
11101010101

Learning Outcome: Can Do Statements:

Exchange information about logic, its • I can say how to understand the
principles, and methods in simple decimal number system.
spoken and written situations. • I can say how to understand the
Describe the development and software binary number system.
programming in simple spoken and • I can answer some questions about
written situations. the binary number system in
programming.
Ask your partner:
• Why do you think the decimal and
binary number systems are important
in programming?
• In which contexts do you need to use
them? Why?

1
 The Binary Number
Takeaway System
E S P > Software Programming>
Level A1.1 Pre - Starter

Let’s Explore!

Do you remember everything about binary and decimal number systems?

Instructions: Read the text below.

Teacher: Today, we continue with the binary number system. Can you tell me how to
understand it? What about the decimal number system? Do you know any
example?
Paula: Well, I remember some basic concepts I learned at school. I think that to
understand the binary system we can start with the decimal one, which works
with units of ten, or “Base 10”, as we know it. To represent numbers, this
system needs the digits from 0 to 9. I remember dividing a number into three
columns: column H for hundreds, T for tens and O for ones, so that, in that
order, the number 184 is 1-hundreds plus 8-tens, plus 4-ones.
Teacher: Good! How can you depict that number in the corresponding equation?
Paula: 184 is {(1*10^2) + (8*10^1)+(4*10^0)}, taking into account that the ones
column is 10^0, the tens column, 10^1 and the hundreds column, 10^2.
Teacher: Correct! Luis, what can you tell me about the binary number system?
Luis: It differs from the decimal system in some ways. First, we know it as “Base
2” because it only works with 2 digits. Each digit has two possible values: 0
or 1.
Paula: Is that what we call a "bit"?
Luis: Yes, “bit” is the short form of “Binary Digit”. Each bit has to be multiple of 2 if
we talk about a binary number system.

Teacher: Great! But, why do you think these topics are important in programming?
Paula: Well, you use the binary system to express data for computer programming!
With this system you can execute a lot of operations in computing as solving
software engineering problems, extracting information from bit fields and
reading raw data.

2
 The Binary Number
Takeaway
Takeaway System
E S P > Software Programming>
Level A1.1 Pre - Starter

Let’s Practice!

Let’s clarify some concepts!

Instructions: Select the correct answer to complete each sentence.

1. We can start with the decimal system, 4. _____ tell me about the binary and
it works with units of ten is called decimal number systems?
_____. a. Can you what
a. “Base 10” b. What can you
b. “Base 1” c. What you can
c. “Base 2”
5. _____ from the decimal system in
2. To represent numbers, this system some ways.
needs the digits _____. a. Binary can differs
a. by 0 to 9. b. Binary can differ
b. from 0 to 9. c. Binary can differed
c. To 0 from 9.

3. _____ a number in three columns?

a. Can I dividing
b. Can we divide
c. Can they divided

Let’s Practice!

Can you tell me what the last class was about?

Instructions: Read the questions. Underline all the mistakes in the questions.

1. Can you mentioned an example of a decimal number system? Yes! The number 165 is
1-hundreds plus 6-tens, plus 5-ones.
2. Must you gave me an example of a binary number system? Yes! The number 10100
represents one “group” of 16, 0 groups of 8, 1 group of 4, 0 groups of 2 and the
value 0.
3. Can you telling my about the binary number system of “Binary Digit”? Yes, it is bit.

3
 The Binary Number
Takeaway
Takeaway System
E S P > Software Programming>
Level A1.1 Pre - Starter

Extension Activity

Decimal and Binary Digits

Instructions: Complete the following steps. Fill in the Self-Assessment.

a) Look for information about the main

uses of representations of decimal Self-Assessment Yes No
and binary digits.

b) Write down a paragraph in which 1. I look for the main uses

you mention important aspects of of representations of
them. decimal and binary
digits.
c) Share the paragraph with your
instructor 2. I write down a
paragraph important
aspects.

3. I share the paragraph

with the instructor.

Target Words

• raw data (noun): primary data that • differ from (verb): to be different
comes from one source from something
e.g. You can execute a lot of e.g. Binary system differs from the
operations in computing as solving decimal system in some ways.
software engineering problems,
extracting information from bit fields • depict (verb): to represent
and reading raw data. e.g. How can you depict that number in
the corresponding equation?
• digit (noun): a number
e.g. Decimal system needs the digits • extract (verb): to remove, to collect
from 0 to 9. e.g. you can execute a lot of operations
in computing as solving software
• equation (noun): a mathematic engineering problems, extracting
symbolic representation. information from bit fields and reading
e.g. How can you depict that number raw data.
in the corresponding equation?

4
 The Binary Number
Takeaway
Takeaway System
E S P > Software Programming>
Level A1.1 Pre - Starter

Learning Points

Verb Can, and Simple Present Tense to Ask Questions on Programming

You formulate questions with can and the simple present tense to get information
about present facts; in this case, to collect information about programming.

Use the modal verb can to express permission, possibility or ability. To formulate
questions, have in mind the following structure:

Can + subject+ verb + compliment?

Can you use Boolean expressions in this context?

Use the simple present to ask questions about present facts. Don't forget the auxiliary
verb Do / Does when formulating the question:

Do/Does+ subject + verb+ compliment?

Do you know how to store a number 1 through 100?
Does she understand how the decimal system works?

Examples

• How can you represent that number in the corresponding equation?

• Do you know any example?
• Why do you think these topics are important in programming?

5
 The Binary Number
Takeaway
Takeaway System
E S P > Software Programming>
Level A1.1 Pre - Starter

Learning Points

Representation of Decimal and Binary Digits

Binary and decimal systems are widely used in computing science. Some aspects of this
one requires the knowledge of these systems, which is why it is crucial to understand
how they work.

In the following chart, you'll see the representation of these two number systems:

Decimal Digits Binary Digits Representation

0 0 Value of 0
1 1 Value of 1

2 10 One “group” of 2 followed by the value 0

3 11 One “group” of 2 followed by the value 1

One “group” of 4 followed by 0 groups of 2

4 100
followed by the value 0
One “group” of 4 followed by 0 groups of 2
5 101
followed by the value 1

One “group” of 4 followed by 1 group of 2

6 110
followed by the value 0
One “group” of 4 followed by 1 group of 2
7 111
followed by the value 1
One “group” of 8, 0 groups of 4, 0 groups of
8 1000
2 and the value 0
… … …

One “group” of 16, 0 groups of 8, 1 group of

20 10100
4, 0 groups of 2 and the value 0

… … …
1 group of 64, 1 group of 32, 0 groups of
100 1100100 16, 0 groups of 8, 1 group of 4, 0 groups of
2 and 0
… … …
1 group of 64, 1 group of 32, 1 group of 16,
125 1111101 1 group of 8, 1 group of 4, 0 groups of 2 and
1