1. Computer language
Everything that is stored and
processed inside a computer (all
data, information, instructions, files,
images, etc.) is stored as numbers.
More specifically, everything inside
a computer is actually a Binary
number (0 or 1)
The CPU is made up of millions of
tiny switches that can only be in
one of the two states, either “ON”
or “OFF”. While the processing
data is taking place, the switches
will alternate between these two
states.

2. Number Systems
There are infinite ways to represent a number.
Some of them associated with modern
computers and digital electronics are:
● Decimal
● Binary
● Hexadecimal

3. Decimal (base 10)
It's the way most human beings represent
numbers.
● Decimal counting goes:
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, and so on.

4. Binary (base 2)
It's the natural way most digital circuits
represent and manipulate numbers.
● Binary counting goes:
0, 1, 10, 11, 100, 101, 110, 111, 1000, 1001,
1010, 1011, 1100, 1101, 1110, 1111, 10000,
10001, and so on.

5. Hexadecimal (base 16)
It's currently the most popular choice for
representing digital circuit numbers in a form
that is more compact than binary.
● Hexadecimal counting goes:
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F, 10,
11, and so on.

6. Decimal number
conversion
A repeated division and remainder algorithm can convert decimal to
binary or hexadecimal.
● Divide the decimal number by the desired target radix (2 or 16).
● Append the remainder as the next most significant digit.
● Repeat until the decimal number has reached zero.

7. What is a bit?
● A bit is a Binary Digit (the word comes from
Binary DigIT)
● A bit is the smallest unit of information that we
can store on a computer (0 or 1).

8. What is a Byte?
● Bits (b) are usually grouped into groups of 8,
and each group is called a Byte. (10101011)
● Bytes (B) are the standard unit of storage for
all computing devices.
● A single keyboard character that you type,
such as letter “A” takes up one byte of
storage.

9. Storing data units
UnitUnit Symbol Equivalent
BYTE B 8 BITS
KILOBYTE KB 1024 BYTES
MEGABYTE MB 1024 KILOBYTES
GIGABYTE GB 1024 MEGABYTES
TERABYTE TB 1024 GIGABYTES

10. ACTIVITIES
1. Convert 0110 binary to decimal
2. Convert 100011 binary to decimal
3. Convert 55 decimal to binary
4. Convert 205 decimal to binary
5. Which number is higher, 01001000 or 01000010.
Why? Don't convert them to decimal.
6. In binary system, how many characteres can be
represented with 3 digits? And with 8? Write the highest
number that can be represented in both cases.
7. Convert 17F hexadecimal to decimal
8. Convert 1792 decimal to hexadecimal

11. ACTIVITIES
9. Convert 111100 binary to hexadecimal
10. Convert 70 hexadecimal to binary
11. Which number is higher, 11100111 or E7?
12. How many bytes takes up your name and surname?
13. How many bits fits onto a 700 MB CD-ROM?
14. What is the size difference between the different storage
devices in each of the pairs below?
a) A 100 kB file and a 4,7 GB DVD
b) A 500 GB external hard disk and a 700 MB CD-ROM
c) A 4 GB memory stick and a 1 TB hard disk
d) A 16 GB MP3 player and an old 1,44 MB floppy disc