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Number systems

IGCSE Computer Science 0478, topic 1.1, and A-Level 9618, topic 1.1. Binary and denary, hexadecimal and where it is used, adding binary numbers and overflow, logical shifts, two's complement, BCD and binary prefixes.

About this lab: Number systems

Interactive simulation for Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 topic 1.1 and AS Level 9618 topic 1.1: click bits to convert between binary, denary and hexadecimal, build HTML colour codes, add 8-bit binary numbers column by column and see overflow happen, watch logical shifts multiply and divide by 2, and represent negative numbers in two's complement, with BCD and kibi/kilo prefixes for A-Level.

IGCSE Computer Science 0478, topic 1.1, and A-Level 9618, topic 1.1. Binary and denary, hexadecimal and where it is used, adding binary numbers and overflow, logical shifts, two's complement, BCD and binary prefixes.

Number systems is a free, browser-based simulation for Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 (topic 1 Data representation, section 1.1 Number systems). The same lab serves both Cambridge IGCSE Computer Science 0478 and AS & A Level Computer Science 9618; tabs marked A-Level go beyond the IGCSE syllabus. The course is assessed in Paper 1 (Computer Systems), Paper 2 (Algorithms, Programming and Logic). Syllabus for examination in 2026-2028. There are 6 tabs, each a self-contained experiment with its own controls and live readings, and nothing to install: it runs on a laptop, tablet or classroom projector.

Syllabus coverage

Full syllabus map: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 topic 1 and A Level Computer Science 9618 topic 1.

How to use this simulation

  1. 1. Binary and denary.
  2. 2. Hexadecimal.
  3. 3. Binary addition and overflow.
  4. 4. Logical shifts.
  5. 5. Two's complement.
  6. 6. BCD and binary prefixes.
  7. The buttons at the end of the tab strip give the scene the whole window (Full screen, Hide controls) and, on a dark stage, a projector-friendly palette (Light scene). Many scenes also have drag handles: drag them to change the set-up directly.

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