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Understanding binary and data calculation
This Computing video supports teachers in showing the children what binary is and how it is used in computing.
The video introduces binary as a base-two counting system, contrasting it with the everyday base-ten system. It explains how binary uses only two values (on/off, one/zero, true/false) and demonstrates how eight bits (a byte) can represent up to 255 values. The video shows how binary numbers are read, built and used to represent decimal numbers, using examples such as the number six and patterns up to fifteen to visualise the concept. The lesson builds understanding of binary logic and arithmetic, supporting the children in practising addition and subtraction in binary and preparing them for the next stage, which is applying binary in practical data handling tasks.
This video is part of the Year 5 Data handling: Mars Rover 1 unit, supporting the children to develop their understanding of binary systems and arithmetic.
See more of our Year 5 Computing scheme of work.
