Scribd
Upload
11 views2 pages

Understanding Binary Number Systems

The document contains questions related to the binary number system, including its base, conversion of denary numbers to binary, representation of negative numbers using two's complement, and binary addition. It also addresses the occurrence of overflow errors in binary addition. The document provides space for calculations and explanations for each question.

Uploaded by

chaw su
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
11 views2 pages

Understanding Binary Number Systems

The document contains questions related to the binary number system, including its base, conversion of denary numbers to binary, representation of negative numbers using two's complement, and binary addition. It also addresses the occurrence of overflow errors in binary addition. The document provides space for calculations and explanations for each question.

Uploaded by

chaw su
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

2

1 Binary is a number system used by computers.

(a) Tick (3) one box to show which statement about the binary number system is correct.

A It is a base 1 system

B It is a base 2 system

C It is a base 10 system

D It is a base 16 system
[1]

(b) Denary numbers are converted to binary numbers to be processed by a computer.

Convert these three denary numbers to 8‑bit binary numbers.

50 ..............................................................................................................................................

102 ............................................................................................................................................

221 ............................................................................................................................................
[3]

Working space

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

© UCLES 2023 0478/11/M/J/23


3

(c) Binary numbers are stored in registers.

Negative denary numbers can be represented as binary using two’s complement.

Complete the binary register for the denary number –78

You must show all your working.

Working space ..........................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Register:

[2]

(d) Two 8‑bit binary numbers are given.

Add the two 8‑bit binary numbers using binary addition.

Give your answer in binary. Show all your working.

00110011
+01100001

[3]

(e) Two binary numbers are added by a computer and an overflow error occurs.

Explain why the overflow error occurred.

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [2]

© UCLES 2023 0478/11/M/J/23 [Turn over

Common questions

Powered by AI

An overflow error occurs when the sum of two numbers exceeds the storage capacity of a given bit field. For 8-bit numbers, if their sum requires more than 8 bits, the result overflows into an additional bit, losing accuracy in the value representation, as binary only stores fixed length bit data .

Denary numbers are converted to binary through sequential division by 2, noting the remainders. The 8-bit binary representation of 50 is 00110010, 102 is 01100110, and 221 is 11011101. This conversion allows compatibility with computer processing, as computers operate using binary data .

The binary number system is a base 2 system. It is essential for computer operations because computers use binary (0s and 1s) to process data. This system allows computers to perform calculations and logical operations efficiently, as digital circuits have two states, which can be represented by binary digits .

Two's complement representation allows negative numbers to be expressed in binary form. To convert -78, first represent 78 in binary as 01001110, then invert the digits to 10110001, and finally add 1, resulting in 10110010. This method enables calculations involving positive and negative numbers without changing arithmetic operations .

Binary addition of 00110011 and 01100001 follows digit-wise addition using binary rules, carrying over when sums exceed 1. The result is 10010000. Each corresponding digit sum and carry forward mimics binary logic circuits in a computer, enabling arithmetic operations .

You might also like