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.
Binary Number Representations Comparison
| 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 |
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.