| Representation | 8-bit Range | MSB Meaning | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unsigned | 0 to 255 | +128 (normal place value) | Ages, counts, memory addresses |
| Sign & Magnitude | -127 to +127 | Sign bit (0=+, 1=-) | Rarely used (two zeros problem) |
| Two's Complement | -128 to +127 | -128 (negative place value) | Standard for signed integers |
This comparison covers Binary Number Representations Comparison within Binary Arithmetic for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Binary Arithmetic in 3.3 Data Representation for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 7 of 11 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Binary Arithmetic
In binary addition, what is the result of 1 + 1?
Explain the effect of a logical left shift and a logical right shift on the value of a binary number.