A2 — Binary system and data representation

Practice using binary numbers and represent data in the binary format.

Due Sep 9, 2026

Estimated time to complete (just the assignment, excluding the prep materials): 1–1.5 hours.

Remember that the assignment depends on the course preparation materials, which are published in the Schedule.

What to do

Submit all your answers to Assignment 2 Submission on Brightspace. You can use a text response field, a text file, or a Markdown file.

Part 1. Binary system and data representation

  1. Convert decimal numbers 5 and 14 to the binary format, showing each step of the conversion.

  2. Convert binary numbers 0 and 101 to the decimal format, showing each step of the conversion.

  3. Describe how a number in base 3 (ternary) is represented. Instead of using regular digits, to represent the digits in base 3, pick 3 symbols that you like and explain why you picked them (they can be letters, special characters, emojies, etc.). Give two distinct examples of numbers in your ternary system and show the conversion to decimal.

  4. Pick any 5-digit, non-zero binary number and convert it to a signed integer using the representation of signed integers that is the computer standard. Flip the sign of the number and show how to convert it back to the signed integer representation.

  5. Imagine you have an 8-bit information slot. You need to store the letter grade (A, B, C, D, E, F) and +/- modifier in that slot. Describe at least two distinct ways of representing these two pieces of information within the 8 bits. Can you imagine a scenario in which one way would be preferable to the other? Can you imagine the opposite scenario?

Part 2. History and technologies

Part 2.1

Focus on the figure in computing that you picked in Assignment 1 (if you haven’t done that part of the assignment, check it out and pick a figure now).

Find answers to the following questions and cite the sources (you can use AI to help you find the information, but you need to consult the sources):

  • When did they live/have they lived?
  • Which technologies were around them when they grew up? (Think steam engines, telegraphs, personal computers, etc.)
  • What kind of education, if any, did they receive?
  • What was their socio-economical status?

Part 2.2

Focus on the technologies impacting your life that you picked in Assignment 1 (if you haven’t done that part of the assignment, check it out and pick two technologies now).

What are some (real or potential) positive and negative effects of these technologies? You can talk about yourself or in general. List at least one positive and one negative effect of each technology.

Grading

Part 1 is graded for correctness, and Part 2 is graded for completion.