Year 10 - Computing
Number bases
Representation of numbers
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Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will be reminded of how the base-10 number system works before being introduced to the base-2 number system. They will perform conversions between binary and decimal and recognise the rules of binary addition and subtraction. They will be introduced to hexadecimal and its uses.
Lesson Summary
You know the difference between base-2 and base-10 numbers and you can convert between these bases.
Key Notes
- Number systems use place value to represent the value of each digit in a number.
- The base of a number system refers to the range of values a digit can take.
- Decimal is a base-10 number system.
- Binary is a base-2 number system.
Vocabulary To Learn
- place value: a digit's value based on its position in a number
- base-10: number system using digits 0-9, where each place value is a power of ten
- base-2: number system using only the digits 0 and 1, where each place value is a power of two
- decimal: a base-10 number system that uses the digits 0 to 9
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may think the place value for binary is the same as decimal in the fact each place value to the left is 10 times greater.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Describe the system or process from this lesson in clear steps.
Number systems use place value to represent the value of each digit in a number. The base of a number system refers to the range of values a digit can take.
2. Define this computing term and give one practical example. 'place value'
a digit's value based on its position in a number. Add one real device or system example to prove understanding.
3. Correct this common computing misconception.
Mistake: Pupils may think the place value for binary is the same as decimal in the fact each place value to the left is 10 times greater. Correction: Binary place values double. So the first bit has the place value of 1 and the second has the place value of 2 and so on.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 10 Computing guide library.