← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Sample resolution

The number of bits used to store each sample of a sound. More bits give more possible volume levels and a more accurate recording. 16 bits per sample is common.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 1.2 Text, Sound and Images — Module 14, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 1.3 Data Storage and Compression — Module 23, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Representing Text, Images and Sound — Module 53, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Data Compression — Module 10

Understanding Sample resolution in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: The variable shows resolution is counted in bits for one sample, not per second. More bits per sample means more binary patterns, so more possible volume levels. The number is how many bits are used for each sample. 16 bits per sample is a common value.

Common mistakes: Sample resolution is the number of bits stored for each sample, not per second. The line should be bits_per_sample = 16 (the rate is the part measured per second). The number of volume levels is 2 raised to the power of the bits per sample. It should be levels = 2 ** more_bits, not multiplication by 2.

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Learning

Duo

What does sample resolution (bit depth) measure?

The number of samples taken every secondThe number of bits used to store each sample

Matches

resolution = 44100 samples per second

↓

This mixes up resolution with sample rate. Resolution is bits per sample, not samples per second.

Applying

Meanings

Term

sample resolution

Meaning

The number of bits used to store each sample of a sound. More bits give more possible volume levels and a more accurate recording. 16 bits per sample is common.

Practice

resolution ← 16

Testing

Gaps

resolution =

Check Answer

Spots

1sample_rate = 44100

2bits_per_second = 16

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Quick Questions

1. What does sample resolution (bit depth) measure?

A. The number of bits used to store each sample ✓

B. The number of samples taken every second

Sample resolution is bits per sample. The number of samples per second is the sample rate.

2. Which change gives more possible volume levels for each sample?

A. Increasing the sample resolution from 8 bits to 16 bits ✓

B. Decreasing the sample resolution from 16 bits to 8 bits

More bits per sample means more binary patterns, so more possible volume levels.

3. Which statement is correct?

A. Sample resolution is measured in hertz (Hz)

B. Sample resolution is a value stored for each sample ✓

Hertz measures sample rate (samples per second). Resolution is measured in bits per sample.

4. Which is a common sample resolution for music recordings?

A. 16 bits per sample ✓

B. 1 bit per sample

16 bits per sample is a common value. It gives 65,536 possible volume levels.

5. A sound is stored with 8 bits per sample. How many different volume levels can each sample have?

A. 8

B. 256 ✓

With 8 bits there are 2^8 = 256 different binary patterns, so 256 volume levels. The number of bits is not the number of levels.

Match the Pairs

resolution = 16 → Each sample is stored using 16 bits, a common sample resolution for sound

levels = 2 ** 8 → 8 bits per sample gives 256 possible volume levels

Sample resolution is the number of bits used to store each single sample → bits_per_sample = 16

Sample rate is measured per second, but resolution is measured per sample → rate = 44100 # samples per second resolution = 16 # bits per sample

resolution = 44100 samples per second → This mixes up resolution with sample rate. Resolution is bits per sample, not samples per second.

levels = 2 * 8 # 8 bits per sample → The levels are worked out with the wrong operator. 8 bits give 2 to the power 8 = 256 levels, not 2 x 8 = 16.

Key Term

sample resolution

The number of bits used to store each sample of a sound. More bits give more possible volume levels and a more accurate recording. 16 bits per sample is common.

Fill in the Blanks

1. resolution = 16

Hint: Type the common number of bits stored for each sample.

2. bits = 8 levels = 2 ** bits

Hint: Type the operator that raises 2 to the power of the number of bits.

3. rate = 44100 resolution = 16 bits = rate * resolution

Hint: Type the variable holding the number of bits stored per sample.

4. samples = 10 resolution = 16 total = samples * resolution

Hint: Type the operator that multiplies the number of samples by the bits in each one.

5. low = 2 ** 8 high = 2 ** 16 print(high > low)

Hint: Type the comparison operator that shows more bits gives more volume levels.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A sample_rate = 44100

B bits_per_second = 16

C levels = 2 ** bits_per_sample

D print(levels)

Line B — Sample resolution is the number of bits stored for each sample, not per second. The line should be bits_per_sample = 16 (the rate is the part measured per second).

Question 2

A bits = 8

B more_bits = bits + 8

C levels = 2 * more_bits

D print(levels)

Line C — The number of volume levels is 2 raised to the power of the bits per sample. It should be levels = 2 ** more_bits, not multiplication by 2.

Question 3

A bits = 16

B rate = 44100

C bits_per_sec = bits + rate

D print(bits_per_sec)

Line C — Bits per second is bits per sample multiplied by samples per second. It should be bits * rate, not bits + rate.

Question 4

A bits = 16

B seconds = 2

C rate = 1000

D size = bits * seconds

E print(size)

Line D — The sample rate is missing. File size in bits = bits per sample * samples per second * seconds, so the line should be size = bits * rate * seconds.

Question 5

A bits = 16

B levels = 2 ** bits

C if levels > 60000

D print("CD quality")

Line C — An if statement must end with a colon. The line should be if levels > 60000:

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