Binary addition
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can count in binary and I can perform addition in binary.
Key learning points
- The process of counting in binary follows the same principle as decimal.
- Binary addition can be achieved with the following facts: 0+0 = 0, 0+1 = 1, 1+1 = 10 and 1+1+1 = 11.
Keywords
Addition - a mathematical operation where two or more numbers are combined to find their total
Carry - the extra value that moves to the next column when the sum of digits in a place value exceeds the base
Common misconception
Pupils will often default to decimal addition, in the fact that 1+1 = 2, whereas in binary 1+1 = 10.
Remind students that binary only has two digits; 0 and 1. Use the comparisons between binary and decimal addition in the slide deck to illustrate the differences.
Teacher tip
Model to students the process using the layout modelled in the slide deck. This models how they would do addition in maths, so pupils should be familiar with the process.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Binary is a base number system.
Q2.What digits are used in binary?
Q3.In the decimal number 3,728 what digit is in the hundreds place?
Q4.What is the value of the '1' in the binary number 10,000?
Q5.What is the decimal equivalent of the binary number 11011?
Q6.What is the binary representation of the decimal number 53?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Counting in binary follows similar principles to counting in .
Q2.Match the binary addition rule to the correct result.
0
1
10
11
Q3.Add together these two binary numbers:
1010 + 101
Q4.Add together these two binary numbers:
1111 + 111
Q5.What is the maximum decimal number that can be represented by 5 binary digits?
Q6.Add together these three binary numbers:
100 + 10 + 1
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: Binary addition, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 computer science lesson on: Binary addition, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 computer science lessons from the Representation of numbers unit, dive into the full secondary computer science curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.