CPSC120A
Fundamentals of Computer Science I

Activity 19

Exploring how computers represent and store data with binary numbers.

Binary

Computers manipulate and store information represented as binary numbers. Understanding the binary representation of numbers allows you to better understand computer behavior and therefore more easily write and debug programs. In this activity you will practice converting numbers from binary to decimal.


  1. Write the numbers one through ten in binary.

  2. What is the largest number that can be represented with an unsigned four-bit binary number? Please give your answer in both binary and decimal.

  3. What is the two's complement binary number 011010010 in decimal?

  4. What is the two's complement binary number 01000000 in decimal?

  5. What is the two's complement binary number 0111111 in decimal?

  6. What is the two's complement binary number 100101110 in decimal?

  7. What is the two's complement binary number 1000000 in decimal?

  8. What is the two's complement binary number 1111111 in decimal?