How Computers
Count
01 / 17
Computers only understand two things.
On and off. That's it!
02 / 17
Like a light switch.
It's either on... or it's off.
03 / 17
We write OFF as 0 and ON as 1.
These are called "bits" — the tiniest piece of information.
04 / 17
One bit can be 0 or 1.
That's only two different numbers!
05 / 17
What if we need bigger numbers?
We add more bits!
06 / 17
Each bit has a special value.
The right bit is worth 1. The left bit is worth 2.
07 / 17
Turn on the right bit to make 1.
Just the 1's place is on.
08 / 17
Turn on the left bit to make 2.
Just the 2's place is on.
09 / 17
Turn on BOTH to make 3!
2 + 1 = 3. We add the values of the ON bits.
10 / 17
Let's add more bits!
Each new bit is worth DOUBLE the one before it.
11 / 17
8, 4, 2, 1.
Remember this pattern! Each doubles as you go left.
12 / 17
To make 5, turn on 4 and 1.
4 + 1 = 5. That's 0101 in binary!
13 / 17
To make 10, turn on 8 and 2.
8 + 2 = 10. That's 1010 in binary!
14 / 17
Turn them ALL on to make 15.
8 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 15. The biggest number with 4 bits!
15 / 17
Your turn! Can you make 7?
Click the circles to turn them on or off.
16 / 17
Now try making 12.
Which bits add up to 12?
17 / 17
Now play and explore!
Try making any number from 0 to 15.
Complete
You speak binary now.
Every number, letter, picture, and video on a computer is just a long string of 1s and 0s. You just learned the secret language of machines.
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