Decimal and Binary Conversion

Decimal and Binary Conversion

What students learn

Students learn how a familiar decimal number can be rewritten in binary. Begin with Convert Decimal Numbers Into Binary to see the conversion goal.

Why it matters

A table of powers of two keeps the conversion organized and reduces guessing. Binary Table Tracks Each Power shows how each place can be checked.

Learn the idea

Each binary digit answers a yes-or-no question: use this place value or skip it. Binary Conversion Checks Each Place walks through that decision process.

Try it

Ask the student to convert 5, 9, 12, and 18 into binary. Then have them add the active powers of two to confirm each answer.

Parent guide

Let students use a chart at first. Fluency can come later; the important part is understanding why each digit is zero or one.