← Years 7–8 Data & Information

Image resolution

The number of pixels in an image, given as width x height (like 1920 x 1080). More pixels give more detail but make a bigger file.

Part of: 7-8 Digital Technologies: Representing data with binary — Module 18, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 1.2 Text, Sound and Images — Module 17, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 1.3 Data Storage and Compression — Module 16, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Representing Text, Images and Sound — Module 41, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Data Compression — Module 6

Understanding Image resolution in Years 7–8 Data & Information

What it does: When you zoom in close, the smooth picture breaks into small coloured squares. Each square is one pixel. 1920 x 1080 has far more pixels than 640 x 480. It shows more detail and takes more storage space. Resolution is the pixel count of an image, written as width x height. The first number is the width in pixels and the second is the height in pixels. Zooming in shows that images are built from tiny squares called pixels, each with its own colour. A higher resolution holds more detail, but every extra pixel has to be stored, so the file gets bigger.

Common mistakes: The variable is called pixels, not pixel. The program has no variable named pixel, so it should say OUTPUT pixels. An IF line needs THEN at the end. It should be IF zoom > 8 THEN.

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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 9–45) and word search (Modules 9–80).

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Learning
Duo
Which answer describes image resolution?
The number of colours in a rainbowThe number of pixels in an image, given as width x height
Matches
Resolution is the screen size in centimetres
↓
Resolution is counted in pixels (width x height), not in centimetres. Centimetres measure physical size.
Applying
Meanings
Term
resolution
Meaning
The number of pixels in an image, given as width x height (like 1920 x 1080). More pixels give more detail but make a bigger file.
Practice
width ← 1920
Testing
Gaps
= 1920 x 1080
Check Answer
Spots
3pixels ← width * height
4OUTPUT pixel

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Quick Questions

1. Which answer describes image resolution?
A. The number of pixels in an image, given as width x height ✓
B. The number of colours in a rainbow
Resolution is the pixel count of an image, written as width x height.
2. An image is 1920 x 1080. What do these numbers mean?
A. 1920 colours and 1080 shades
B. 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels high ✓
The first number is the width in pixels and the second is the height in pixels.
3. What happens when you zoom in very close on a digital image?
A. You can see the individual square pixels ✓
B. The image turns back into a real photo
Zooming in shows that images are built from tiny squares called pixels, each with its own colour.
4. Which image has the higher resolution?
A. 640 x 480
B. 1920 x 1080 ✓
1920 x 1080 has about 2 million pixels. 640 x 480 has only about 300 thousand.
5. What do more pixels in an image usually give you?
A. More detail, but a bigger file ✓
B. Less detail and a smaller file
A higher resolution holds more detail, but every extra pixel has to be stored, so the file gets bigger.

Match the Pairs

1920 x 1080 → A resolution of 1920 pixels wide and 1080 pixels high, which is about 2 million pixels in total
resolution → The number of pixels in an image, given as width by height
Zooming in on a digital image far enough shows the individual square pixels it is made of → zoom in -> see pixels
An image with more pixels has a higher resolution, so it shows more detail but uses a bigger file → 1920 x 1080 > 640 x 480
Resolution is the screen size in centimetres → Resolution is counted in pixels (width x height), not in centimetres. Centimetres measure physical size.
640 x 480 has more detail than 1920 x 1080 → 640 x 480 has fewer pixels than 1920 x 1080, so it has less detail, not more.

Key Term

resolution
The number of pixels in an image, given as width x height (like 1920 x 1080). More pixels give more detail but make a bigger file.

Fill in the Blanks

1. # 1920 pixels wide, 1080 pixels high resolution = 1920 x 1080
Hint: Type the name for the pixel count of an image, written as width by height.
2. width = 1920 height = 1080 pixels = width * height
Hint: Type the operator that multiplies width by height to get the total number of pixels.
3. IF pixelsA > pixelsB THEN detail = "higher" END IF
Hint: Type the comparison operator for when image A has more pixels than image B.
4. # Zoom in to see the pixels view = zoom(photo, 800)
Hint: Type the function name that magnifies an image so you can see its pixels.
5. width = 1920 height = 1080 resolution = width x height
Hint: Type the measurement that is written first in a width by height resolution.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A width ← 1920
B height ← 1080
C pixels ← width * height
D OUTPUT pixel
Line D — The variable is called pixels, not pixel. The program has no variable named pixel, so it should say OUTPUT pixels.
Question 2
A zoom ← 10
B IF zoom > 8
C OUTPUT "You can see pixels"
D END IF
Line B — An IF line needs THEN at the end. It should be IF zoom > 8 THEN.
Question 3
A width ← 1920
B height ← 1080
C pixels ← width + height
D OUTPUT pixels
Line C — The number of pixels in an image is the width multiplied by the height, not added. It should be pixels ← width * height.
Question 4
A small ← 640 * 480
B large ← 1920 * 1080
C IF large < small THEN
D OUTPUT "More detail"
E END IF
Line C — The larger resolution has more pixels, so large > small is true and gives more detail. The < sign is the wrong way round. It should be IF large > small THEN.
Question 5
A resolution ← 1920 x 1080
B pixels ← 1920 * 1080
C OUTPUT resolution
Line A — The resolution is written as text, so it needs quotes. It should be resolution ← "1920 x 1080".

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