← VCE Data Analysis

Boolean data

A data type with only two possible values: true or false (yes or no). Used for yes/no fields, TRUE and FALSE in a spreadsheet, and the result of a comparison such as 5>3.

Part of: VCE Applied Computing - U1O1 - Data analysis — Module 20, VCE Software Development - U3O1 - Programming — Module 19, VCE Data Analytics - U3O1 - Data Analytics — Module 12, VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 48, VCE Applied Computing U1O2 Programming: Python basics and data types — Module 8, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 9 Databases — Module 7, IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 10 Boolean Logic — Module 2, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Structured Data and Queries — Module 14, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 9–10 — Acquiring and Validating Data — Module 16, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data-Driven Problems and Solution Requirements — Module 46, QCE Digital Solutions Unit 2 — Data and Programming Techniques — Module 33, WA Computer Science ATAR Year 11 — Data Management — Module 6

Understanding Boolean data in VCE Data Analysis

What it does: Testing whether C5 equals a value gives TRUE or FALSE, so the result is Boolean. A yes/no field has only two possible values, so Boolean is the right data type. Suburb names are text. Whether a student has a permission note is a yes/no answer, so Boolean fits. Floating point is for numbers with decimals.

Common mistakes: A Boolean yes/no field has only two possible values. Maybe is a third option, so the field should be Member (Yes/No). A comparison gives a Boolean result. =A1+50 gives the number 122, not TRUE or FALSE. It should be =A1>50.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 15–24) and word search (Modules 3–24).

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Learning
Duo
Which set of values can a Boolean field store?
Any whole numberTRUE or FALSE
Matches
Boolean values: TRUE, FALSE, MAYBE
↓
A Boolean can only be one of two values, TRUE or FALSE. MAYBE is a third option, so it is not Boolean.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Boolean
Meaning
A data type with only two possible values: true or false (yes or no). Used for yes/no fields, TRUE and FALSE in a spreadsheet, and the result of a comparison such as 5>3.
Practice
=IF(B2>50,TRUE,FALSE)
Testing
Gaps
A1: =53
Check Answer
Spots
1Field: Member (Yes/No/Maybe)
2Type: Boolean

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Quick Questions

1. Which set of values can a Boolean field store?
A. Any whole number
B. TRUE or FALSE ✓
A Boolean data type has only two possible values: true or false (yes or no).
2. Which database field is best stored as a Boolean?
A. IsMember (yes or no) ✓
B. SuburbName (Carlton, Geelong)
A yes/no field has only two possible values, so Boolean is the right data type. Suburb names are text.
3. What does a spreadsheet show for the formula =5>3?
A. 5
B. TRUE ✓
A comparison gives a Boolean result. Because 5 is greater than 3, the result is TRUE.
4. What does a spreadsheet show for the formula =2=7?
A. FALSE ✓
B. TRUE
The formula compares 2 with 7. They are not equal, so the result is the Boolean value FALSE.
5. Which of these is a Boolean value in a spreadsheet cell?
A. TRUE ✓
B. Maybe
Boolean data has only two values. 'Maybe' is text and is not a Boolean value.

Match the Pairs

=B2>=50 → A comparison that returns TRUE or FALSE depending on whether the value in B2 is at least 50
Member? = Yes/No → A yes/no field in a database, which stores a Boolean value with only two options
A spreadsheet formula that tests a condition and returns a Boolean result → =C5="Melbourne"
The result of the comparison 5>3 is the Boolean value TRUE → =5>3
Boolean values: TRUE, FALSE, MAYBE → A Boolean can only be one of two values, TRUE or FALSE. MAYBE is a third option, so it is not Boolean.
=A1>10 returns 15 → A comparison returns a Boolean value (TRUE or FALSE), not a number. It should return TRUE or FALSE.

Key Term

Boolean
A data type with only two possible values: true or false (yes or no). Used for yes/no fields, TRUE and FALSE in a spreadsheet, and the result of a comparison such as 5>3.

Fill in the Blanks

1. A1: =5>3 Result: TRUE
Hint: Type the comparison operator that checks if the left value is greater than the right
2. Field: IsMember Data type: Boolean
Hint: Type the data type name used for a yes/no field
3. B3: =B2>=18 Result: TRUE when B2 is 18 or more
Hint: Type the operator meaning greater than or equal to
4. =AND(B2>50,C2>50) Result: TRUE only if both are TRUE
Hint: Type the function name that returns TRUE only when every test is true
5. A2: =2>9 Result: FALSE
Hint: Type the Boolean value a false comparison gives

Spot the Error

Question 1
A Field: Member (Yes/No/Maybe)
B Type: Boolean
C Values: TRUE or FALSE
Line A — A Boolean yes/no field has only two possible values. Maybe is a third option, so the field should be Member (Yes/No).
Question 2
A A1: 72
B B1: =A1+50
C Result in B1: TRUE
Line B — A comparison gives a Boolean result. =A1+50 gives the number 122, not TRUE or FALSE. It should be =A1>50.
Question 3
A Field: Is_Paid
B Type: Integer
C Example: TRUE
Line B — A field that only holds TRUE or FALSE (paid or not paid) has the Boolean data type, not Integer.
Question 4
A A2: 8
B B2: =A2<5
C Result in B2: TRUE
Line C — 8 is not less than 5, so the comparison =A2<5 gives FALSE, not TRUE.
Question 5
A A1: 20
B B1: =A1>=18
C C1: =IF(B1,"Adult","Minor"
Line C — The closing bracket is missing. The IF formula uses the Boolean result in B1 and must end with ), so it should be =IF(B1,"Adult","Minor").

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