Imagine trying to describe every scene in a movie, every note in your favorite song, or every street in your town using only the numbers 1 and 0. Sounds tricky, right? Well, every time you use the Internet to watch a movie, listen to music, or check directions, that’s exactly what your device is doing—using the language of binary code.
Computers use binary because it’s a reliable way to store data. Inside a computer, the main memory is made up of tiny switches called transistors. These transistors can be either on or off, like a light switch, representing high or low voltage levels, such as 5 volts (on) and 0 volts (off). Even if the voltage wobbles a bit, the computer can still read it as on or off. The computer’s processor reads these states to control other parts of the computer according to software instructions.
The cool thing about binary is that a sequence of 1s and 0s doesn’t have a set meaning on its own. Different types of data are encoded in binary using different rules. For example, let’s talk about numbers. In our usual decimal system, each digit is multiplied by 10 raised to the power of its position. So, the number 84 is calculated as 4×10⁰ + 8×10¹. Binary works similarly, but each position is based on 2 raised to some power.
Letters are interpreted using standard rules like UTF-8, which assigns each character to a specific 8-digit binary string. For instance, the binary sequence 01010100 represents the letter T. But how do you know if a sequence like this means T or the number 84? You can’t tell just by looking at it. You need context, just like how you need context to understand if the sound “da” is part of Russian, Spanish, or English.
Binary code is used for more complex data too. Each frame of a video is made up of hundreds of thousands of pixels. In color images, every pixel is represented by three binary sequences for the primary colors. Each sequence encodes a number that determines the intensity of that color. A video driver program sends this information to your screen to create all the different colors you see.
The sound in videos is also stored in binary using a technique called pulse code modulation. Sound waves are digitized by taking “snapshots” of their amplitudes every few milliseconds. These are recorded as numbers in binary strings, with up to 44,000 for every second of sound. When your computer reads these numbers, it determines how quickly the speakers should vibrate to create different sounds.
Handling all this data requires billions of bits, but clever compression formats can reduce this amount. For example, if a picture has 30 green pixels in a row, they can be recorded as “30 green” instead of coding each pixel separately. This process is called run-length encoding, and these compressed formats are also written in binary code.
Is binary the ultimate solution for computing? Not necessarily. Researchers are exploring ternary computers, which use three possible states, and even quantum computers, where circuits can be in multiple states at once. However, so far, binary remains the most stable method for data storage and transmission. For now, everything you see, hear, and read on your screen is the result of a simple “true” or “false” choice, made billions of times over.
Explore your surroundings and identify everyday objects that can be represented using binary code. For example, find objects that can be described as “on” or “off,” like a light switch or a door (open/closed). Write down the binary representation for each object and share your findings with the class.
Write a short message using binary code. Use the UTF-8 encoding system to convert each letter of your message into an 8-digit binary string. Share your binary message with a classmate and see if they can decode it back into text.
Create a piece of art using binary code. Use graph paper to design a simple image where each square can be filled in (1) or left blank (0). Translate your design into a binary string and explain how each part of your image corresponds to the binary code.
Simulate how sound is digitized using binary code. Use a simple sound recording and take “snapshots” of its amplitude at regular intervals. Convert these amplitudes into binary numbers and discuss how this data could be used to recreate the sound.
Experiment with data compression by creating a simple image using colored squares. Count how many consecutive squares of the same color appear in a row and use run-length encoding to compress this data. Compare the original and compressed data sizes and discuss the benefits of compression.
Imagine trying to use words to describe every scene in a film, every note in your favorite song, or every street in your town. Now imagine trying to do it using only the numbers 1 and 0. Every time you use the Internet to watch a movie, listen to music, or check directions, that’s exactly what your device is doing—using the language of binary code.
Computers use binary because it’s a reliable way of storing data. For example, a computer’s main memory is made of transistors that switch between either high or low voltage levels, such as 5 volts and 0 volts. Voltages sometimes oscillate, but since there are only two options, a value of 1 volt would still be read as “low.” That reading is done by the computer’s processor, which uses the transistors’ states to control other computer devices according to software instructions.
The genius of this system is that a given binary sequence doesn’t have a pre-determined meaning on its own. Instead, each type of data is encoded in binary according to a separate set of rules. Let’s take numbers. In normal decimal notation, each digit is multiplied by 10 raised to the value of its position, starting from zero on the right. So, 84 in decimal form is 4×10⁰ + 8×10¹. Binary number notation works similarly, but with each position based on 2 raised to some power.
Meanwhile, letters are interpreted based on standard rules like UTF-8, which assigns each character to a specific group of 8-digit binary strings. In this case, 01010100 corresponds to the letter T. So, how can you know whether a given instance of this sequence is supposed to mean T or 84? Well, you can’t from seeing the string alone—just as you can’t tell what the sound “da” means from hearing it in isolation. You need context to tell whether you’re hearing Russian, Spanish, or English. And you need similar context to tell whether you’re looking at binary numbers or binary text.
Binary code is also used for far more complex types of data. Each frame of this video, for instance, is made of hundreds of thousands of pixels. In color images, every pixel is represented by three binary sequences that correspond to the primary colors. Each sequence encodes a number that determines the intensity of that particular color. Then, a video driver program transmits this information to the millions of liquid crystals in your screen to create all the different hues you see now.
The sound in this video is also stored in binary, with the help of a technique called pulse code modulation. Continuous sound waves are digitized by taking “snapshots” of their amplitudes every few milliseconds. These are recorded as numbers in the form of binary strings, with as many as 44,000 for every second of sound. When they’re read by your computer’s audio software, the numbers determine how quickly the coils in your speakers should vibrate to create sounds of different frequencies.
All of this requires billions and billions of bits. But that amount can be reduced through clever compression formats. For example, if a picture has 30 adjacent pixels of green space, they can be recorded as “30 green” instead of coding each pixel separately—a process known as run-length encoding. These compressed formats are themselves written in binary code.
So is binary the end-all-be-all of computing? Not necessarily. There’s been research into ternary computers, with circuits in three possible states, and even quantum computers, whose circuits can be in multiple states simultaneously. But so far, none of these has provided as much physical stability for data storage and transmission. So for now, everything you see, hear, and read through your screen comes to you as the result of a simple “true” or “false” choice, made billions of times over.
Binary – A system of numerical notation that uses only two digits, 0 and 1, to represent data in computers. – Computers use binary code to process and store all types of data.
Code – A set of instructions written in a programming language that a computer can execute. – She learned how to write code in Python to create a simple game.
Computers – Electronic devices that can store, retrieve, and process data to perform various tasks. – Computers have become essential tools for both education and entertainment.
Data – Information processed or stored by a computer, which can be in the form of text, images, audio, and more. – The data collected from the survey was analyzed using a spreadsheet program.
Pixels – The smallest units of a digital image or display, which combine to form the complete picture on a screen. – The resolution of a screen is determined by the number of pixels it can display.
Sound – Audio data that can be processed and played by a computer, often stored in formats like MP3 or WAV. – The video editing software allows you to add sound effects to your project.
Encoding – The process of converting data into a specific format for efficient transmission or storage. – Video files are often compressed and encoded to reduce their size for streaming.
Memory – The component of a computer that stores data temporarily or permanently for quick access by the processor. – Upgrading the computer’s memory can improve its performance when running multiple applications.
Processor – The central unit in a computer that performs calculations and executes instructions from programs. – A faster processor can handle more complex tasks and improve the overall speed of a computer.
Compression – The process of reducing the size of a file or data set to save storage space or speed up transmission. – Image compression is used to decrease the file size of photos without significantly reducing quality.
