Light Bulb Binary printable pdf download

Light Bulb Binary

Background and Preparation

Here’s an easy way to explore binary, a number system based on two

(bi- = 2).

You Need:

Worksheet—Light Bulb Binary handout

Scissors

Introduction and Preparation

Students easily associate our decimal number system with the

number ten. Ask the meaning of the root dec- (dec- = 10). Have

students tell how many numerals we use in our decimal system (ten:

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9).

Discuss the root bi- = 2 and come up with some related words

(bicycle, biceps, bipedal, . . .). Connect bi- with the word binary.

Pass out Light Bulb Binary worksheets. Have students cut along the

dotted lines to get five pairs of light bulbs. Fold on the solid lines to

create five light bulb cards with an “off” light bulb on one side of the

card and an “on” light bulb on the other.

Tell students that you’re tossing out all the numerals in the world

except for two: 0 and 1.

Discuss how an electrical circuit only has two settings: “off” or “on.”

Write on the board: off = 0

on = 1.

Have students note that the “off” light bulb card is labeled “off 0.” The

“on” light bulb card is labeled “on = 1.” Binary is used in computers

because electricity can be either on or off, nothing else.

Place Value: Decimals, Binary

Now introduce the place value chart. Since our decimal system is

based on 10, you start with a 1 in the ones place, multiply by 10 and

get the tens place, multiply that by 10 and get the hundreds place,

and so on:

Decimal Place Value

10,000

1,000

100

Binary place value works the same way. Start with a 1 in the ones

place. Multiply 1 by 2 and get the twos place. Multiply 2 by 2 and get

Light Bulb Binary