← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Converting bits to bytes and bytes to bits

Divide bits by 8 to get bytes. Multiply bytes by 8 to get bits. A nibble is 4 bits, so 2 nibbles make 1 byte. Example: 24 bits / 8 = 3 bytes, and 5 bytes x 8 = 40 bits.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 1.3 Data Storage and Compression — Module 11

Understanding Converting bits to bytes and bytes to bits in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: Nibbles to bits means multiplying by 4, because 1 nibble = 4 bits. So 3 nibbles = 3 * 4 = 12 bits. A byte is 2 nibbles (4 + 4 = 8 bits), so divide the number of nibbles by 2 to get bytes. 6 / 2 = 3 bytes. Bits are smaller than bytes, so you need more of them. That means you multiply by 8 to get bits.

Common mistakes: To convert bits to bytes you divide by 8, not multiply. It should be byte_count = 24 / 8, which gives 3 bytes. To convert bytes to bits you multiply by 8, not divide. It should be bit_count = byte_count * 8, which gives 40 bits.

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Learning
Duo
How do you convert 32 bits into bytes?
32 x 8 = 256 bytes32 / 8 = 4 bytes
Matches
bytes = 32 * 8
↓
Multiplied instead of dividing. Going from bits to bytes means dividing by 8, so it should be bytes = 32 / 8 = 4.
Applying
Meanings
Term
bytes = bits / 8
Meaning
Divide bits by 8 to get bytes. Multiply bytes by 8 to get bits. A nibble is 4 bits, so 2 nibbles make 1 byte. Example: 24 bits / 8 = 3 bytes, and 5 bytes x 8 = 40 bits.
Practice
bits ← 24
Testing
Gaps
bytes = bits /
Check Answer
Spots
1byte_count = 24 * 8
2print(byte_count)

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Quick Questions

1. How do you convert 32 bits into bytes?
A. 32 x 8 = 256 bytes
B. 32 / 8 = 4 bytes ✓
To go from bits to bytes, divide by 8 because 1 byte is 8 bits. 32 / 8 = 4 bytes.
2. How do you convert 6 bytes into bits?
A. 6 / 8 = 0.75 bits
B. 6 x 8 = 48 bits ✓
To go from bytes to bits, multiply by 8 because each byte holds 8 bits. 6 x 8 = 48 bits.
3. Which statement is correct?
A. Bits to bytes: divide by 8 ✓
B. Bits to bytes: multiply by 8
Bytes are bigger than bits, so you need fewer bytes than bits. That means you divide by 8 to get bytes.
4. Which statement is correct?
A. Bytes to bits: multiply by 8 ✓
B. Bytes to bits: divide by 8
Bits are smaller than bytes, so you need more of them. That means you multiply by 8 to get bits.
5. How many bits are in 2 nibbles?
A. 8 bits, because 2 x 4 = 8 ✓
B. 16 bits, because 2 x 8 = 16
A nibble is 4 bits, not 8. So 2 nibbles = 2 x 4 = 8 bits, which is also 1 byte.

Match the Pairs

bytes = bits / 8 → Divide the number of bits by 8 to find how many bytes they make
bits = bytes * 8 → Multiply the number of bytes by 8 to find how many bits they contain
A nibble is 4 bits, so 3 nibbles contain 12 bits → bits = 3 * 4
2 nibbles make 1 byte, so 6 nibbles are 3 bytes → bytes = 6 / 2
bytes = 32 * 8 → Multiplied instead of dividing. Going from bits to bytes means dividing by 8, so it should be bytes = 32 / 8 = 4.
bits = 5 / 8 → Divided instead of multiplying. Going from bytes to bits means multiplying by 8, so it should be bits = 5 * 8 = 40.

Key Term

bytes = bits / 8
Divide bits by 8 to get bytes. Multiply bytes by 8 to get bits. A nibble is 4 bits, so 2 nibbles make 1 byte. Example: 24 bits / 8 = 3 bytes, and 5 bytes x 8 = 40 bits.

Fill in the Blanks

1. bits = 24 bytes = bits / 8
Hint: Type the number of bits in one byte.
2. bytes = 5 bits = bytes * 8
Hint: Type the operator that converts bytes to bits.
3. nibbles = 3 bits = nibbles * 4
Hint: Type the number of bits in one nibble.
4. bits = 40 bytes = bits / 8
Hint: Type the operator that converts bits to bytes.
5. nibbles = 6 bytes = nibbles / 2
Hint: Type how many nibbles make one byte.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A byte_count = 24 * 8
B print(byte_count)
C print('bytes')
Line A — To convert bits to bytes you divide by 8, not multiply. It should be byte_count = 24 / 8, which gives 3 bytes.
Question 2
A byte_count = 5
B bit_count = byte_count / 8
C print(bit_count)
Line B — To convert bytes to bits you multiply by 8, not divide. It should be bit_count = byte_count * 8, which gives 40 bits.
Question 3
A nibbles = 6
B bits = nibbles * 4
C bytes_total = bits / 4
D print(bytes_total)
Line C — There are 8 bits in a byte, so bits are divided by 8 (4 is the number of bits in a nibble). It should be bytes_total = bits / 8, which gives 3 bytes.
Question 4
A file_bytes = 12
B print('Size in bits:')
C print(file_bytes / 8)
Line C — The program prints the size in bits, so the bytes must be multiplied by 8, not divided. It should be print(file_bytes * 8), which gives 96 bits.
Question 5
A nibbles = 10
B bits = nibbles * 4
C bytes_total = bits * 8
D print(bytes_total)
Line C — To go from bits to bytes you divide by 8, not multiply. 10 nibbles are 40 bits, so it should be bytes_total = bits / 8, which gives 5 bytes.

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