Memory & StorageIntroduction
The Lego Addition Machine
Part of Binary Arithmetic — GCSE Computer Science
This introduction covers The Lego Addition Machine within Binary Arithmetic for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Binary Arithmetic in Memory & Storage for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 18 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 1 of 10 in this topic. Use this introduction to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 1 of 10
Practice
15 questions
Recall
18 flashcards
The Lego Addition Machine
Imagine building a calculator with Lego bricks, but you only have two colors: white (0) and black (1). Adding works the same as normal, but when two blacks meet, you get a white brick and "carry" a black to the next column. Want to multiply by 2? Easy - shift all bricks one space left! Want to divide by 2? Shift right! Want negative numbers? Paint the first brick red to mean "negative." This is exactly how computers do math - simple rules, billions of times per second!