3.1.6

Binary Systems

Test yourself on Binary Systems

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Binary Systems

Computer systems store and process data as binary digits.

Why use binary form?

Why use binary form?

  • Underneath the surface computers are electrical devices that process information by controlling the flow of electricity through billions of wires and transistors (electrical switches) inside the central processing unit and other components.
  • The presence of electricity represents a 1, and an absence of electricity represents a 0.
The transistor

The transistor

  • Transistors are electrical components made from semiconductor materials that can act as electrically-controlled switches.
  • Transistors can be used to temporarily store data, for example in some forms of primary storage (memory).
Transistors in the CPU

Transistors in the CPU

  • Inside a Central Processing Unit (CPU), transistors are arranged into circuits to perform operations such as calculations when electricity is passed through them.
  • For example, transistors can be arranged to form an 'adder' circuit that can accept two binary numbers, and output the sum of their values.
  • Modern CPUs contain over 3 billion transistors, allowing them to perform billions of calculations per second.
Jump to other topics
1

Computational Thinking & Algorithms

1.1

Computational Thinking

1.1.1Abstraction Thinking1.1.2Decomposition Thinking1.1.3Algorithmic Thinking
1.2

Algorithms

1.2.1Algorithms1.2.2Pseudocode1.2.3Flow Diagrams1.2.4Logical Reasoning & Debugging1.2.5Reading Algorithms1.2.6Correcting Algorithms1.2.7Complete the Algorithm1.2.8Search Algorithms1.2.9Linear Search1.2.10Binary Search1.2.11Sort Algorithms1.2.12Bubble Sort1.2.13Insertion Sort1.2.14End of Topic Test - Algorithms
2

Programming

2.1

Programming Fundamentals

2.1.1Variables & Constants2.1.2Comments2.1.3Input & Output2.1.4Arithmetic Operators2.1.5Relational Operators2.1.6Boolean Operators2.1.7Sequence2.1.8Selection2.1.9Iteration2.1.10Subroutines2.1.11Scope2.1.12Data Types2.1.13Casting2.1.14Arrays2.1.152D Arrays2.1.16Lists2.1.172D Lists2.1.18Strings2.1.19Syntax Errors2.1.20Logic Errors2.1.21Runtime Errors2.1.22End of Topic Test - Programming
2.2

Designing Code

2.2.1Code2.2.2Programs2.2.3Writing Your Own Program2.2.4Designing a ‘Basketball’ Game2.2.5Turning an Algorithm into an App2.2.6End of Topic Test - Designing Code
2.3

Python

2.3.1Introduction to Python2.3.2Input2.3.3Output2.3.4Casting2.3.5Type Coercion2.3.6Selection2.3.7Iteration2.3.8Files2.3.9File Handling2.3.10Identifiers2.3.11Whitespace2.3.12Comments2.3.13Exceptions
3

Hardware & Software

3.1

Hardware

3.1.1Elements of Computer Systems3.1.2Central Processing Unit (CPU)3.1.3Registers of the Central Processing Unit (CPU)3.1.4Factors Affecting CPU Performance3.1.5Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle3.1.6Binary Systems3.1.7Logic Circuits3.1.8Boolean Logic3.1.9End of Topic Test - Logic
3.2

Software

3.2.1System Software
4

Data

4.1

Representing Data

4.1.1Binary4.1.2Converting Binary & Hexadecimal4.1.3Converting Denary & Hexadecimal4.1.4Binary Arithmetic4.1.5Representing Sound4.1.6Representing Images4.1.7Character Sets4.1.8American Standard Code for Information Interchange4.1.9Unicode4.1.10End of Topic Test - Representation
5

The Internet

5.1

Networks

5.1.1Networks5.1.2Geographical Classification of Networks5.1.3What is the Internet?5.1.4The World Wide Web5.1.5Uniform Resource Locators (URLs)5.1.6Web Hosting5.1.7HTML5.1.8Searching the World Wide Web5.1.9Good Searching Tips5.1.10Are You Looking at Reliable Information?
6

Online Safety & Security

6.1

Protecting Yourself Online

6.1.1Digital Footprints6.1.2Leaving a Safe Online Footprint6.1.3Online Safety6.1.4Malware - Viruses6.1.5Malware6.1.6People Online6.1.7Your Feelings6.1.8Getting Help
6.2

Computing and the Law

6.2.1Data Protection Act (1998)6.2.2Computer Misuse Act (1990)6.2.3Freedom of Information Act (2000)6.2.4Plagiarism6.2.5Copyright6.2.6Copyright Designs and Patents Act (1988)6.2.7Creative Commons Licensing

Practice questions on Binary Systems

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What represents a 1 in most modern computers?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Uses of transistors in computer systems:Fill in the list
Answer all questions on Binary Systems

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Fetch-Decode-Execute Cycle

Logic Circuits