Boxi Learn › Computing › Stage 3 · Structure and Evidence
Counting with only 0 and 1
CS-3 Any information can become numbersX-3 Look from another side
What many people think
Binary is a secret code only computers can read.
The idea
In binary each place is worth twice the place to its right, so any whole number is a sum of 1, 2, 4, 8, ….
Explain it
A friend says binary is a secret code only computers understand. Use the dot cards to show them how to read 10110, and why each card has twice the dots of the card to its right.
Try at home
Draw five cards on paper with 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16 dots. Ask someone for a number up to 31 and make it by turning cards over; then count from 0 to 31 together, flipping cards as you go.