The numbering system you and I use normally is called the decimal system, as it goes up in multiples of 10.
However, as we learnt last lesson, computers use the binary system, where numbers go up in multiples of 2.
It’s important that when learning binary, we know how to convert numbers between binary and decimal.
In this lesson, we’ll learn about:
Let’s think about the number 12. It’s actually two separate numbers – 1 & 2. However, they belong to different columns.
TENS | ONES |
---|---|
1 | 2 |
The number 12 Can be thought of as ONE TEN and TWO ONEs.
In the decimal system, each column goes up in multiples of 10. Each column can be given a value of 0-9 (10 possible values).
TEN THOUSANDS | THOUSANDS | HUNDREDS | TENS | ONES |
---|---|---|---|---|
0-9 | 0-9 | 0-9 | 0-9 | 0-9 |
So let’s look at the number 4096.
TEN THOUSANDS | THOUSANDS | HUNDREDS | TENS | ONES |
---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 6 |
As you can see, we have:
This should all be pretty familiar to you from primary school and key stage 3.
Binary numbers work very similarly, except the columns increase in multiples of two and each column can only store a 0 or 1.
128 | 64 | 32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0-1 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
Notice how each column is simply a multiple of 2, as shown in figure 1.
It is important that you get your columns drawn out first, remember the smallest numbers are on the RIGHT and the numbers go up by multiples of 2 RIGHT TO LEFT.
The smallest number in a binary sequence is known as the “least significant bit”. The largest number is known as the “most significant bit”.
Before beginning any of your binary maths, always write your numbers down in the right order and you can’t miss!
If the binary system goes up in 2’s, what is the Ternary and Quaternary systems? Why might they be used?
In order to do this, you need to ask yourself the following question:
Can I take away my binary column from my decimal number and be left with a positive?
Or
Can my binary column fit into my decimal number?
Let’s take a look at the decimal number 25. We are going to convert it into a 6-bit binary number.
Firstly we need to put our binary columns down, as it is going to be 6 bits, we need 6 columns:
32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Start with the 32 column (our most significant bit). Can 32 fit into 25?
No, so we don’t have any of these, so we put 0 in the 32 column.
32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 |
Move onto the 16 column. Can 16 fit into 25?
Yes, so we have one of these, so we put 1 in the 16 column.
32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 |
Now we have to take 16 away from 25. 25 – 16 = 9.
Move onto the 8 column. Can 8 fit into 9?
Yes, so we have one of these, so we put 1 in the 8 column.
32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 1 |
Now we have to take 8 away from 9. 9 – 8 = 1.
Move onto the 4 column. Can 4 fit into 1?
No, so we don’t have one of these, so we put a 0 in the 4 column.
32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Move onto the 2 column. Can 2 fit into 1?
No, so we don’t have one of these, so we put a 0 in the 2 column.
32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Move onto the 1 column (our least significant bit). Can 1 fit into 1?
Yes, so we have one of these, so we put a 1 in the 1 column.
32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Now we have to take 1 away from 1. 1 – 1 = 0.
And our conversion is now finished!
Basically, you need to keep taking away until you reach zero, and your final number MUST be either a 0 or a 1. If you end up with anything other than 0 or 1 then your maths has gone wrong.
So, the number 25 in 6-bit binary is 011001, which is correct.
You must always give your answer in the required number of bits. Your exam will usually want your answer in 8 bits.
The number 25 in 8-bit binary is:
128 | 64 | 32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
In decimal, if a number starts with a 0 it is usually ignored, for example, we never say “I’ll have 05 bags of crisps”. However, in binary, it is important that these are put down as you are then using the required number of bits.
Why do you think it is important to always include any zeros that precede a binary number, even though they are never used?
In order to convert from binary to decimal, we take our binary number and put it in the columns.
Let’s take the number 25 again. In 6-bit binary we saw that this is 011001.
32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
To convert this back into decimal, we need to work out which columns have a ONE in them.
16 | 8 | 1 |
---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 1 |
Then we simply need to add up these column heading values.
16+8+1=25.
And that’s all it takes.
This works for any number. For example:
128 | 64 | 32 | 16 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Pick all the 1’s.
128 | 32 | 16 | 8 | 2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Add them up.
128+32+16+8+2=186.
How would you convert numbers greater than 8 bits?
So to summarise what we’ve learnt in this lesson: