The DEC2BIN spreadsheet function
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Which formula converts the number 13 into binary?
2. What does =DEC2BIN(13) show in the cell?
3. What does =DEC2BIN(5,8) show in the cell?
4. What is the job of the 8 in =DEC2BIN(5,8)?
5. Which cell entry correctly converts the decimal number sitting in cell A2?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1=DEC2BIN(13) | AConverts the decimal number 13 into binary, giving 1101 | |
| 2=DEC2BIN(5,8) | B=DEC2BIN(A2) | |
| 3To get the binary form of the number in cell A2, put the cell reference inside the function | CThe places argument is too small. 13 needs 4 binary digits (1101), so asking for only 2 places gives an error. Use at least 4, like =DEC2BIN(13,4). | |
| 4To convert a whole column of numbers, write the formula once and copy it down so the reference moves to A3, A4 and so on | DThe person typed the binary answer instead of the decimal number. DEC2BIN needs the decimal input, so it should be =DEC2BIN(13) to get 1101. | |
| 5=DEC2BIN(13,2) | E=DEC2BIN(A2) | |
| 6=DEC2BIN(1101) | FConverts 5 to binary and pads it with zeros to 8 places, giving 00000101 |
C
Definitions
=DEC2BIN(13)
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
=_______(13)
2.
=DEC2BIN(__)
3.
=DEC2BIN(5,_)
4.
_DEC2BIN(13)
5.
=DEC2BIN(A2,_)
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
A1: Number
B
B1: Binary
C
B2: =DEC2BINARY(A2)
D
B3: =DEC2BIN(A3)
Question 2
A
DEC2BIN(13)
B
Result: 1101
C
Result is text, not a number
Question 3
A
A2: 5
B
B2: =DEC2BIN(8,A2)
C
Result: 00000101
Question 4
A
A2: 13
B
B2: =BIN2DEC(A2)
C
Result: 1101
Question 5
A
A1: Number
B
B1: 8-bit binary
C
A2: 6
D
B2: =DEC2BIN(A2,8
E
Result: 00000110
Answer Key
The DEC2BIN spreadsheet function
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
B — =DEC2BIN(13)
Q2
A — 1101
Q3
A — 00000101
Q4
A — It sets how many binary digits to show
Q5
B — =DEC2BIN(A2)
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
=DEC2BIN(13) → Converts the decimal number 13 into binary, giving 1101
Q2
=DEC2BIN(5,8) → Converts 5 to binary and pads it with zeros to 8 places, giving 00000101
Q3
To get the binary form of the number in cell A2, put the cell reference inside the function → =DEC2BIN(A2)
Q4
To convert a whole column of numbers, write the formula once and copy it down so the reference moves to A3, A4 and so on → =DEC2BIN(A2)
Q5
=DEC2BIN(13,2) → The places argument is too small. 13 needs 4 binary digits (1101), so asking for only 2 places gives an error. Use at least 4, like =DEC2BIN(13,4).
Q6
=DEC2BIN(1101) → The person typed the binary answer instead of the decimal number. DEC2BIN needs the decimal input, so it should be =DEC2BIN(13) to get 1101.
Section C: Definitions
Q1
=DEC2BIN(13) — A spreadsheet function that converts a decimal whole number into binary text. =DEC2BIN(13) gives 1101. Add places to pad with zeros, e.g. =DEC2BIN(5,8) gives 00000101.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
=DEC2BIN(13)Q2
=DEC2BIN(A2)Q3
=DEC2BIN(5,4)Q4
=DEC2BIN(13)Q5
=DEC2BIN(A2,8)Section E: Spot the Error
Q1
C — The function is called DEC2BIN, not DEC2BINARY. A spreadsheet gives an error for a name it does not know. It should be =DEC2BIN(A2).
Q2
A — A spreadsheet formula must start with =. Without it the cell just shows the text DEC2BIN(13). It should be =DEC2BIN(13).
Q3
B — The number to convert comes first and the places (width) comes second. The formula should be =DEC2BIN(A2,8) to give 00000101.
Q4
B — BIN2DEC goes the other way, from binary to decimal, so it can't convert 13. To turn a decimal number into binary, use =DEC2BIN(A2).
Q5
D — The closing bracket is missing, so the formula is incomplete. It should be =DEC2BIN(A2,8).