Binary shifts
I can perform binary shifts to multiply and divide binary numbers, but recognise the errors this may introduce.
Binary shifts
I can perform binary shifts to multiply and divide binary numbers, but recognise the errors this may introduce.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Binary shifting is shifting the bits to the left or to the right.
- If you shift to the left, you multiply the number by a power of 2.
- If you shift to the right, you divide the number by a power of 2.
- Overflow is when a number is too large to be stored in allocated memory.
- Underflow is when a number is too small to be processed.
Keywords
Binary shifting - when binary digits are moved left or right, multiplying or dividing them by powers of 2
Overflow - when a number is too large to be represented in the available binary digits
Underflow - when a number is too small to be represented in the available binary digits
Common misconception
When performing binary multiplication any result can be stored, regardless of how many binary digits are needed.
The size of a binary number that can be stored is allocated in memory. Sometimes the result of a binary shift may result in a larger binary number that can be stored in the number of bits available.
Equipment
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a number system using 0 and 1
a number system using the digits 0 to 9
a switch in an electronic circuit
a direction for performing a task
Exit quiz
6 Questions
multiplies by powers of 2
divides by powers of 2
when memory capacity is exceeded
when digits are rounded down as they drop near zero