Skip to main content

Data Representation — Practice Questions

8 questions · Original exam-style content

Short-Answer Questions

Write your answer, then reveal the mark scheme.

Q1Show your working to convert the binary number 1001 0110 to its denary equivalent.
[2 marks]

Click to reveal mark scheme ↓

Mark Scheme

  • Correct identification of place values with a 1: 128, 16, 4, 2[1]
  • Correct total: 150[1]

Command word: Show

Q2Show your working to convert the denary number 173 to an 8-bit binary number.
[2 marks]

Click to reveal mark scheme ↓

Mark Scheme

  • Correct working showing repeated subtraction or division (e.g. identifies 128 fits, remainder 45; 32 fits, remainder 13; 8 fits, remainder 5; 4 fits, remainder 1; 1 fits)[1]
  • Correct 8-bit answer: 1010 1101[1]

Command word: Show

Q3A music file has a size of 5 megabytes (MB). Calculate the size of this file in bytes. Show your working.
[2 marks]

Click to reveal mark scheme ↓

Mark Scheme

  • 1 MB = 1024 KB AND 1 KB = 1024 bytes, OR 1 MB = 1024 × 1024 bytes = 1,048,576 bytes[1]
  • Correct calculation: 5 × 1,048,576 = 5,242,880 bytes[1]

Command word: Calculate

Multiple Choice

These are also available as an interactive knowledge check within each lesson.

Q1What is the denary value of the 8-bit binary number 0110 1010?

  • A. 96
  • B. 106
  • C. 108
  • D. 112

Columns with a 1: 64, 32, 8, 2. Sum: 64 + 32 + 8 + 2 = 106.

Q2What is the maximum denary value that can be stored in an 8-bit binary number?

  • A. 128
  • B. 254
  • C. 255
  • D. 256

1111 1111₂ = 128 + 64 + 32 + 16 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 255. The value 256 requires 9 bits.

Q3Which 8-bit binary number is equal to the denary value 47?

  • A. 0010 1111
  • B. 0011 0000
  • C. 0010 1100
  • D. 0011 1111

47 = 32 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 0010 1111. Check: 32 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 47 ✓

Q4How many bits are there in one byte?

  • A. 2
  • B. 4
  • C. 8
  • D. 16

One byte consists of 8 bits. A group of 4 bits is called a nibble.

Q5In an 8-bit binary number, what is the place value of the leftmost (most significant) bit?

  • A. 16
  • B. 64
  • C. 128
  • D. 256

The 8-bit columns are (left to right): 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1. The most significant bit has the value 2⁷ = 128.