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The document discusses binary representation of numbers and time in a digital clock. It also discusses computer memory sizes and storage of ASCII characters and machine code instructions in binary and hexadecimal formats. Reasons for preferring hexadecimal over binary for debugging programs are provided.

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Getrude Chivige
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74 views3 pages

Form 1 Assignment

The document discusses binary representation of numbers and time in a digital clock. It also discusses computer memory sizes and storage of ASCII characters and machine code instructions in binary and hexadecimal formats. Reasons for preferring hexadecimal over binary for debugging programs are provided.

Uploaded by

Getrude Chivige
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SACRED HEART COLLEGE

Cambridge International Examinations


Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education

COMPUTER SCIENCE 0478/01


Theory of Computer Science Data Representation
Binary systems, Data Storage, Hexadecimals Form 1 Assignment
Due Date: 29/01/2021

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Answer all questions.


No marks will be awarded for using brand names of software packages or hardware.

The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
1 A digital alarm clock is controlled by a microprocessor. It uses the 24-hour clock system (i.e. 6 pm
is 18:00).

Each digit in a typical display is represented by a 4-digit binary code.

For example:
0 0 0 0 1st digit (0)

1 0 0 0 2nd digit (8)


is represented by:
08 : 15 0 0
0 1
3rd digit (3)
(clock display)
0 1 0 1 4th digit (5)

(a) What time is shown on the clock display if the 4-digit binary codes are:

0 0 0 1

0 1 1 0

0 1 0 0
(clock display)
1 0 0 1
[4]

(b) What would be stored in the 4-digit binary codes if the clock display time was:

1st digit

2nd digit

17 : 29 3rd digit

4th digit

[4]

© UCLES 2012 0478/01/SP/15


2. Computer memories are measured in terms of the number of bytes.

(a) (i) What is meant by the term byte?

[2]

(ii) What is meant by the term Gigabyte? [2]

3 When a key is pressed on the keyboard, the computer stores the ASCII representation of the
character typed into main memory.

The ASCII representation for A is 65 (denary), for B is 66 (denary), etc.

There are two letters stored in the following memory locations:

Location 1 A

Location 2 C

(a) (i) Show the contents of Location 1 and Location 2 as binary.

Location 1

Location 2

(ii) Show the contents of Location 1 and Location 2 as hexadecimal.

Location 1

Location 2 [2]

(b) The following machine code instruction is stored in a location of main memory:

Convert this binary pattern into hexadecimal.


[4]
1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1

(c) Explain why a programmer would prefer to see the contents of the locations displayed as
hexadecimal rather than binary, when debugging his program that reads the key presses.

[2]

The End

[20]

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