Bits and Bytes

1. What is a Digit
   A digit is a single place that can hold numerical values between 0 and 9
2. “normal” counting numbers used in everyday life a based on what sequence of numbers?the binary number system
3. Where does the word bit originate from?The word bit is a shortening of the words "Binary digIT
4. Binary numbers don’t use base 10. What base do they use? What digits are available in base 2?
   Base 2
5. Examine the tables below

Base 10

Place Value	10 000	1 000	100	10	1
Place Value	104	103	102	101	100
Digit	9	0	3	0	2
Digit Value	90 000	0	300	0	2

90 302 (base 10) = (9 x 10000) + (3 x 100) + (2 x 1)

If  6,357 can be written as;

(6 * 1000) + (3 * 100) + (5 * 10) + (7 * 1) = 6000 + 300 + 50 + 7

Ø  How would you write 4,321

Base 2

Place Value	16	8	4	2	1
Place Value	24	23	22	21	20
Digit	1	0	1	0	0
Digit Value	16	0	4	0	0

10100 (base 2) = (1 x 16) + (1 x 4) = 20 (base 10)

 

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/bytes.htm/printable