Binary Numbers Lesson
Binary Fun!!
1. Watch a fun binary number video from you tube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD6lcIIOeic
2. Explain how to change decimal numbers to binary numbers on
the board.
3. Have students help change decimal numbers to binary numbers
on the board.
4. Have a group competition involving changing decimal numbers
to binary on the board.
5. Complete the binary bead project listed in the following pages.
(Contact me at hillm1@pitt.k12.nc.us for a copy of the bead
project)
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Binary Numbers Lesson
Student Name: __________________________________
Did you know?
Computers are designed to handle large quantities of information. That
information has to be represented in one common “language” or
“code”. Binary code is what the computer uses! It breaks down
information, letters, numbers and words into 1’s and 0’s or “on” and
“off” pulses.
Objective:
Learn the binary counting system that is used by computers, and create
a bracelet or keychain, encoding a special date with binary numbers.
Learning Binary:
Expressing numbers in binary is like expressing numbers in base 10,
which is what we are used to. In kindergarten we are taught about
place value. For example, the number 124 has a 1 in the hundreds
place, a 2 in the tens place and a 4 in the ones place. In base two, we
have a ones place, a twos place, a fours place and an eights place. It is
like counting from 0 to 1 then adding another place instead of counting
0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 before adding another place.
Let’s try an example. Look at the diagram on the next page to figure
out how to write 6 in binary code. Remember, always work from left to
right!
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Binary Numbers Lesson
Start with the
number 6.
Bit boxes for binary number
Can you
subtract an
8 from 6?
If yes, put a 1 in the left
most empty bit box.
6 – 8, can’t do
0
If no, put a 0 in the left
most bit box.
Can you
subtract a
4 from 6?
0
If yes, put a 1 in the left
most empty bit box.
6-4=2
1
If no, put a 0 in the
left most bit box.
Can you
subtract a 2
from 2?
0
1
If yes, put a 1 in the left
most empty bit box.
2-2=0
1
If no, put a 0 in the
left most bit box.
Can you
subtract a 1
from 0?
0-1, can’t do
0
1
1
0
If no, put a 0 in the
left most bit box.
3
If yes, put a 1 in the left
most empty bit box.
Binary Numbers Lesson
Complete the table below by figuring out the Binary Code for the
digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Enter a 0 or a 1 in
each box, nothing
else is allowed!
Look at the
example on
the previous
page.
Ask your
neighbor for
help!
Don’t forget to work left to right!
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Binary Numbers Lesson
Now you are ready to translate a special date, like your
birthday, into binary code!
What is your special date? ___________________________
Write the date using the digits 0 through 9.
Don’t forget to include leading zero’s. For example, if you were born on March 7,
1999, you would enter 03 as your month, 07 as your day and 1999 as your year.
Now, rewrite your special date in binary, using only 1’s and
0’s.
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Binary Numbers Lesson
Finally, put your necklace, bracelet or keychain together!
1. Select three different COLORS that you want to use to
make your necklace.
0’s
1’s
spacer
2. The first two colors represent either a 0 or a 1. The
third color will be used as spacers to separate each 4bit number.
3. Look at the previous page and count the NUMBER of
beads you will need of each color.
0’s
1’s
spacer
4. Collect the beads you need as well as a wire and a
clasp.
5. Before you start stringing beads on your
string, lay them all out on the worksheet
on the previous page!
6. After all of your beads are in order, then
put them on the bracelet or keychain.
And you’re all finished.
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