← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Converting to a smaller unit

To convert to the next smaller unit (GiB to MiB, MiB to KiB, KiB to bytes), multiply by 1024. The answer should be a bigger number than the one you started with.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 1.3 Data Storage and Compression — Module 13

Understanding Converting to a smaller unit in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: Going down one unit from MiB to KiB means multiplying by 1024, so 3 MiB is 3072 KiB. A smaller unit needs more of them to make the same amount, so the number must get bigger. 2048 is bigger than 2, so the answer is sensible. KiB to bytes: multiply by 1024. 5 x 1024 = 5120 bytes. Storage units use 1024, not 1000, so 8 x 1024 = 8192 KiB.

Common mistakes: Going from MiB to the smaller unit KiB means multiplying by 1024, not dividing. It should be kib <- mib * 1024, so the answer is a bigger number. Storage units step by 1024, not 1000. MiB to KiB must be kib <- mib * 1024.

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Learning
Duo
How do you convert 3 GiB into MiB?
3 x 1024 = 3072 MiB3 / 1024 = 0.0029 MiB
Matches
4 GiB = 4 / 1024 = 0.0039 MiB
↓
Divided by 1024 instead of multiplying. Going to a smaller unit needs multiplying, so the answer should be 4 * 1024 = 4096 MiB.
Applying
Meanings
Term
size * 1024
Meaning
To convert to the next smaller unit (GiB to MiB, MiB to KiB, KiB to bytes), multiply by 1024. The answer should be a bigger number than the one you started with.
Practice
sizeGiB ← 2
Testing
Gaps
mib = gib 1024
Check Answer
Spots
3OUTPUT mib
4kib <- mib / 1024

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Quick Questions

1. How do you convert 3 GiB into MiB?
A. 3 x 1024 = 3072 MiB ✓
B. 3 / 1024 = 0.0029 MiB
GiB to MiB goes down one unit, so multiply by 1024. 3 x 1024 = 3072 MiB.
2. Which operation converts MiB to KiB?
A. Multiply by 1024 ✓
B. Divide by 1024
KiB is the next smaller unit than MiB, so you need more of them. Multiply by 1024.
3. Which answer is correct for 5 KiB converted to bytes?
A. 5 / 1024 bytes
B. 5120 bytes ✓
KiB to bytes: multiply by 1024. 5 x 1024 = 5120 bytes.
4. A student converts 2 MiB to KiB and gets 2048. Is the answer sensible?
A. No, the answer should be smaller than 2
B. Yes, it is bigger than 2, as expected for a smaller unit ✓
Converting to a smaller unit always gives a bigger number. 2 x 1024 = 2048 KiB, so the check passes.
5. A student converts 4 GiB to MiB and gets 0.0039. What should you tell them?
A. Wrong: the answer should be bigger than 4, so multiply by 1024 ✓
B. Correct: the number gets smaller when the unit gets smaller
A smaller unit needs a bigger number. They divided instead of multiplying. 4 x 1024 = 4096 MiB.

Match the Pairs

gib * 1024 → Converts a size in GiB into MiB by multiplying by 1024
kib * 1024 → Converts a size in KiB into bytes by multiplying by 1024
To change 3 MiB into KiB (a smaller unit), multiply by 1024 → 3 * 1024 = 3072
After converting to a smaller unit the answer should be a bigger number than the start, so check this → 2 GiB = 2048 MiB, and 2048 > 2
4 GiB = 4 / 1024 = 0.0039 MiB → Divided by 1024 instead of multiplying. Going to a smaller unit needs multiplying, so the answer should be 4 * 1024 = 4096 MiB.
5 KiB = 5 * 1000 = 5000 bytes → Multiplied by 1000 instead of 1024. The correct answer is 5 * 1024 = 5120 bytes.

Key Term

size * 1024
To convert to the next smaller unit (GiB to MiB, MiB to KiB, KiB to bytes), multiply by 1024. The answer should be a bigger number than the one you started with.

Fill in the Blanks

1. gib = 2 mib = gib * 1024
Hint: Type the operator used to convert GiB to the next smaller unit, MiB.
2. mib = 5 kib = mib * 1024
Hint: Type the number that links each unit to the next smaller one.
3. kib = 4 bytes = kib * 1024
Hint: Type the variable that holds the starting size in KiB.
4. gib = 2 mib = gib * 1024 print(mib > gib)
Hint: Type the comparison operator that checks the answer is bigger than the starting number.
5. mib = 3 kib = mib * 1024 print(kib)
Hint: Type the variable that holds the converted answer in the smaller unit.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A gib <- 2
B mib <- gib * 1024
C OUTPUT mib
D kib <- mib / 1024
E OUTPUT kib
Line D — Going from MiB to the smaller unit KiB means multiplying by 1024, not dividing. It should be kib <- mib * 1024, so the answer is a bigger number.
Question 2
A mib <- 5
B OUTPUT mib
C kib <- mib * 1000
D OUTPUT kib
Line C — Storage units step by 1024, not 1000. MiB to KiB must be kib <- mib * 1024.
Question 3
A mib <- 3 / 1024
B OUTPUT mib
C // 3 GiB converted to MiB
Line A — Converting 3 GiB to the smaller unit MiB needs multiplication: mib <- 3 * 1024. Dividing would give a tiny number instead of a bigger one.
Question 4
A kib <- 6
B bytes <- kib * 8
C OUTPUT bytes
Line B — 8 is the number of bits in a byte, not the step between KiB and bytes. One KiB is 1024 bytes, so it should be bytes <- kib * 1024.
Question 5
A gib <- 2
B mib <- gib * 1024
C kib <- gib * 1024
D OUTPUT kib
Line C — This skips a step. GiB must first become MiB, then MiB becomes KiB. The line should be kib <- mib * 1024.

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