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Denary
Binary
Being able to convert between Binary (base 2) and Denary (base 10)
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advancing learning, changing lives
Denary
Denary (or Base 10) is the number system that we use to count and represent
numeric values in everyday life. The most commonly accepted reason for this is
that we have 10 fingers.
100s 10s 1s
3 6 5
The weights or headings above each number can be used to calculate the
number and describe how it is made.
3 x 100 = 300
6 x 10 = 60
5x1 =5
As noted, denary is base 10 – this means that the headings start at 1 and get 10
times bigger as we move from right-to-left.
eg
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Binary
Binary is base 2.
The headings again start at 1, but this time they get 2 times bigger as we move
from right-to-left.
16 8 4 2 1
Unlike denary where we can use any digit between 0 and 9, binary only uses “0”
and “1”. This is good because we can use “0” and “1” to represent the “off”
and “on” switches inside the computer.
It means that all different types of data (sound effects, graphics, text,
animation, music, graphs, webpages etc) can be represented in binary and
stored inside the computer.
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It is fairly simple to convert between denary and binary.
8 4 2 1
0 1 1 0 = 6
1x4
1x2
If it helps, think about coins: to make 6p, you would need one 4p and one 2p.
You also have to remember that you can only use each “coin” once.
8 4 2 1
0 0 0 0 = 0
0 1 0 1 = 5
0 0 1 1 = 3
1 1 1 1 = 15
You have probably noticed that when a heading isn’t being used we simply write
a “0” underneath.
The computer would see “5” as either 0101 or OFF, ON, OFF, ON.
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This is the same process but in reverse.
Imagine if we were given the binary number 10110 to work out the denary
equivalent…
16 8 4 2 1
Step 2 – put the binary digits (we call them BITs) under the binary headings,
starting from the right-hand side.
16 8 4 2 1
1 0 1 1 0
Step 3 – add the headings together where a “1” occurs in the binary number.
16 8 4 2 1
1 0 1 1 0
16 + 4 + 2 = 22
Tip
A useful tip is that if the binary number ends in a “0” then denary number will
be even (like 22). Binary numbers ending in a “1” will be odd.
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