Binary Beads — CTE Intro
Name _________________________ Class _____________________ Date ___________
Standard & Objectives:
CTE Intro – 8.3.5 Understand that all computers operate on a
digital or binary number system.
Project:
In this project you will use colored beads representing 1's & 0's to
create a key ring holder with your initials written in binary.
Background
All computers operate on a binary number system. That is a number system that is represented
by 0 and 1. In a computer, which is electronic, everything is stored in millions or “switches”
which are either “On” or “Off”. When the switch is “On” it is represented by a 1. When it is
“Off” it is represented by a 0.
There are 10 numbers (0-9) in the number system we use everyday. A number system based on
10 numbers is called a decimal system. The number system based on only 2 numbers (0-1) is
called the binary number system.
A single number in a numbering system is called a digit. 0 and 1 are the digits in a binary system.
A binary digit is know as a “bit”. Numbers in the binary system are usually written in a using 8
bits in a number, 01010100. When a binary number is represented with 8 bits (binary digits) it
is called a byte. Bits and bytes are the basic units of storage and memory in a computer.
To keep track of the value of a number in the decimal number system we need to know what
place it is in. Example: The number 634,298 uses place values represented in the table.
100,000's
10,000's
1000's
100's
10's
1's
105
104
103
102
101
100
6
3
4
2
9
8
When all ten digit have been used in a decimal system a new place value is added so each place
is a power of 10. Binary numbers work the same way but place values are powers of 2.
128's
64's
32's
16's
8's
4's
2's
1's
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
0
1
0
1
0
1
0
0
If there is a 1 in the place it has that value. If there is a 0 there is no value in that place. Know
what place a digit is in and its value the decimal equivalence of the number can be calculated.
The binary number 0101 0100 would be evaluated by adding values of each 1 bit: 64+16+4=84
decimal. (A binary number is usually written with space in the middle and 4 bits on each side for
easier reading.)
When letters, symbols, and digits typed on a keyboard they are stored in 8 bits or a byte. This
representations of the letters using bits is called ASCII code. The decimal, binary numbers, and
ASCII code can be calcuated by we will use a table to make the conversion easier. (See
document: “ASCII_Binary_Code_Table-127”)
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Binary Beads — CTE Intro
Materials Needed:
Colored Mini Pony Beads
Handout: ASCII with Characters and Binary Codes
Key Rings
Boon Doggle
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Binary Beads — CTE Intro
Directions:
1. Using the “ASCII with Characters and Binary Codes” handout, find your first intial and
write the binary number for the letter. Do the same for your last initial. Fill in the bead
with the colors you will use.
Initials
_________
_________
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___
OOOO OOOO
OOOO OOOO
Binary Number
Beads
2. Pick 2 beads of one color for the 8th bit which will be on the left side and used as a
separator.
3. Pick the another color of bead to represent the 0's and a third color to represent the 1's.
4. Pick a color of boon doggle and cut it about 10 inches (25 cm) long.
5. Get a key ring and loop the boon doggle through it and tie an overhand knot about ½ inch
(1 cm) from the ring
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Binary Beads — CTE Intro
6. Start with the first bead which will be the 8th bit bead and thread it on the two strands of
boon doggle.
7. Then thread the other beads in order representing the colors for the 1's and 0's for the
rest of the first initial.
8. Next place the bead for the 8th bit for the last initial. These 8th bit beads act as seperater
to make the binary numbers easier to read.
9. Then thread the other beads in order representing the colors for the 1's and 0's for the
rest of the last initial.
10. When you have all the beads on for both initials tie a square knot in the boon doggle to
hold the bead in place.
11. Get some keys to place on the key ring and put it to use.
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Binary Beads — CTE Intro
Extension Activities
1. Make a binary key chain with your first name if it is short enough.
2. Make a binary bracelet using boon doggle or pipe cleaners.
Write your name or the year you birthday.
3. Make a binary bracelet or key chain that has a one word
message.
4. Get a bead loom and with rows of bead write a message or
your full name.
5. Write a message in binary code to friend on paper.
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