Computer explorers · 16/50 · Ages 8–10
Four little switches
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Four pretend switches have values 8, 4, 2, and 1. An on switch contributes its value; an off switch contributes zero. This is a small model of binary place value.
What you will discover
- A bit has two values, commonly written 0 and 1.
- In binary place value, each place is worth twice the place to its right.
English vocabulary
- bit
- bit
- switch
- công tắc
Let’s play
Turn on switches to make 5.
See the explanation
The 4 and 1 switches make 5: 0101.
Practise touch typing
Place your hands on F and J and type this sentence using ten fingers.
A bit can be zero or one.
Two little quiz questions
1. How many possible values does one bit have?
- 2
- 5
- 10
Answer and explanation
2. The two values are 0 and 1.
2. Which on switches make 10?
- 8 and 2
- 4 and 1
- 8 and 4
Answer and explanation
8 and 2. 8 + 2 = 10, which is 1010 in this four-place model.