← ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

Binary means two states

Using only two values, like 0 and 1 or on and off. Computers store all data using just these two states.

Part of: ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Representing Data with Numbers — Module 3, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Representing Text, Images and Sound — Module 2

Understanding Binary means two states in ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6

What it does: Each switch is either on or off. We write on as 1 and off as 0, just like one binary digit. We normally count with ten digits, 0 to 9. Binary uses only 0 and 1. Bi means two. Binary has two states, such as on and off. Electronic parts can easily be on or off. Many of these states together can store pictures, sound and text. On and off are two states. Red, green and blue are three different things. In binary, 1 often means on and 0 often means off. The broken code describes everyday counting, not binary. Binary has just 0 and 1.

Common mistakes: The else line needs a colon at the end. It should be: else:. The list is called digits, not digit. The line should be print(len(digits)), which prints 2 because binary has two digits.

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Free printable worksheet with full answer key — or add this module to a class and your students practise it interactively.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 44–57) and word search (Modules 44–71).

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Learning
Duo
Which two digits does binary use?
0 and 11 and 2
Matches
Binary uses the digits 0 to 9
↓
That is the ten digits we count with. Binary only uses two digits, 0 and 1.
Applying
Meanings
Term
binary
Meaning
Using only two values, like 0 and 1 or on and off. Computers store all data using just these two states.
Practice
SET switch TO on
Testing
Gaps
on =
Check Answer
Spots
3 bit = 1
4else

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Quick Questions

1. Which two digits does binary use?
A. 0 and 1 ✓
B. 1 and 2
Binary uses only two digits: 0 and 1.
2. Binary means using how many different states or values?
A. Two ✓
B. Ten
Bi means two. Binary has two states, such as on and off.
3. A light switch is a good example of binary because it can be...
A. Only on or off ✓
B. Any brightness from 1 to 10
A simple switch has just two states: on or off. That is like binary.
4. The counting numbers we use every day use how many digits (0 to 9)?
A. Two digits
B. Ten digits ✓
Everyday counting uses ten digits, 0 to 9. Binary uses only two.
5. Which one is a binary number?
A. 3472
B. 1001 ✓
1001 uses only the digits 0 and 1. 3472 uses other digits too.

Match the Pairs

binary → Using only two values or states, like 0 and 1 or on and off
0 and 1 → The two digits a computer uses to store data
A light switch has two states, so it is like a binary digit → on = 1, off = 0
The ten digits we count with are different from binary, which only has two → 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 vs 0 1
Binary uses the digits 0 to 9 → That is the ten digits we count with. Binary only uses two digits, 0 and 1.
A switch in binary can be 0, 1 or 2 → Binary only has two states. A switch is either on (1) or off (0). There is no 2.

Key Term

binary
Using only two values, like 0 and 1 or on and off. Computers store all data using just these two states.

Fill in the Blanks

1. off = 0 on = 1
Hint: Type the binary digit that stands for on.
2. binaryStates = 2 # 0 and 1
Hint: Type how many states binary uses.
3. decimal = 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Hint: Type the last of the ten digits we count with.
4. bit = 0 switch = "off"
Hint: Type the switch state that matches the digit 0.
5. Computers store data using binary
Hint: Type the name of the system that uses only two values.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A light = 'on'
B if light == 'on':
C bit = 1
D else
E bit = 0
Line D — The else line needs a colon at the end. It should be: else:
Question 2
A digits = [0, 1]
B print(len(digit))
C print('two states')
Line B — The list is called digits, not digit. The line should be print(len(digits)), which prints 2 because binary has two digits.
Question 3
A bits = [0, 1]
B for b in bits:
C print('bit is' b)
Line C — A comma is missing between 'bit is' and b. It should be print('bit is', b).
Question 4
A state = 'off'
B if state == 'off':
C bit = 2
Line C — Binary only uses 0 and 1. Off is stored as 0, so the line should be bit = 0.
Question 5
A dec = 10
B bin = 2
C if bin > dec:
D print('fewer digits')
Line C — Binary has 2 digits and the counting system we use has 10, so binary has fewer. The test should be bin < dec.

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