RAFT Idea

Binary Dots  

Counting in binary is quite straightforward and makes for an interesting and compelling activity for any student who can do simple addition. This uncomplicated game creates an opportunity to practice counting in binary. It reinforces understanding of place value and can be extended into a discussion of other bases and number systems.

Grades Covered: 4 through 12
Subjects Covered: Math

Curriculum topics:
  • Binary (Base-2)
  • Number Bases
  • Place Value
  • Exponents
  • Exponential Growth

View Idea Sheet
Standards
Idea Sheets are cross-referenced to subjects listed in the Common Core, Next Generation Science Standards, and California Content Standards.
Show Standards
Buy Online
This RAFT Idea has an activity kit available in our online store. (Educators qualify for discounts at both our physical locations and our online store.)
Buy Online
More Downloads
This idea sheet has additional materials for you to download.

Binary Dots Image Gallery

×

National Standards

  • 4.OA.4. Find all factor pairs for a whole number in the range 1?100. Recognize that a whole number is a multiple of each of its factors. Determine whether a given whole number in the range 1?100 is a multiple of a given one-digit number. Determine whether a given whole number in the range 1?100 is prime or composite.

    (Common Core Mathematics /// Grade 4 /// Operations And Algebraic Thinking /// Gain Familiarity With Factors And Multiples)

  • 4.NBT.1. Recognize that in a multi-digit whole number, a digit in one place represents ten times what it represents in the place to its right. For example, recognize that 700 รท 70 = 10 by applying concepts of place value and division.

    (Common Core Mathematics /// Grade 4 /// Number And Operations In Base Ten2 /// Generalize Place Value Understanding For Multi-Digit Whole Numbers)

  • 5.NBT.1. Recognize that in a multi-digit number, a digit in one place represents 10 times as much as it represents in the place to its right and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.

    (Common Core Mathematics /// Grade 5 /// Number And Operations In Base Ten /// Understand The Place Value System)

  • 5.NBT.2. Explain patterns in the number of zeros of the product when multiplying a number by powers of 10, and explain patterns in the placement of the decimal point when a decimal is multiplied or divided by a power of 10. Use whole-number exponents to denote powers of 10.

    (Common Core Mathematics /// Grade 5 /// Number And Operations In Base Ten /// Understand The Place Value System)

  • 6.EE.1. Write and evaluate numerical expressions involving whole-number exponents.

    (Common Core Mathematics /// Grade 6 /// Expressions And Equations /// Apply And Extend Previous Understandings Of Arithmetic To Algebraic Expressions)

  • Mathematical Practices: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 4. Model with mathematics. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 6. Attend to precision. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

    (Common Core Mathematics /// Grade 4 /// Mathematical Practices)

  • Mathematical Practices: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 4. Model with mathematics. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 6. Attend to precision. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

    (Common Core Mathematics /// Grade 5 /// Mathematical Practices)

  • Mathematical Practices: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 4. Model with mathematics. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 6. Attend to precision. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

    (Common Core Mathematics /// Grade 6 /// Mathematical Practices)

  • Mathematical Practices: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 4. Model with mathematics. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 6. Attend to precision. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

    (Common Core Mathematics /// Grade 7 /// Mathematical Practices)

  • Mathematical Practices: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 4. Model with mathematics. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 6. Attend to precision. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

    (Common Core Mathematics /// Grade 8 /// Mathematical Practices)

  • Mathematical Practices: 1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them. 2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively. 3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others. 4. Model with mathematics. 5. Use appropriate tools strategically. 6. Attend to precision. 7. Look for and make use of structure. 8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

    (Common Core Mathematics /// High School /// Mathematical Practices)

  • 1.0 Students understand place value of whole numbers and decimals to two decimal places, how these relate to simple fractions, and use concepts of negative numbers.

    (CA Mathematics /// Grade 4 /// 01. Number Sense)

  • 4.0 Students know how to factor small whole numbers.

    (CA Mathematics /// Grade 4 /// 01. Number Sense)

  • 1.4 Determine the prime factors of all numbers through 50 and write the numbers as the product of their prime factors by using exponents to show multiples of a factor (e.g., 24 = 2 x 2 x 2 x 3 = 23 x 3).

    (CA Mathematics /// Grade 5 /// 01. Number Sense /// 1.0 Students compute with very large and very small numbers, positive integers, decimals, and fractions and understand the relationship between decimals, fractions, and percents. They understand the relative magnitudes of numbers.)

  • 2.1 Understand negative whole-number exponents. Multiply and divide expressions involving exponents with a common base.

    (CA Mathematics /// Grade 7 /// 01. Number Sense /// 2.0 Students use exponents, powers, and roots and use exponents in working with fractions.)

  • 02.0 Students understand and use such operations as taking the opposite, finding the reciprocal, taking a root, and raising to a fractional power. They understand and use the rules of exponents.

    (CA Mathematics /// Grade 8 - 12 /// 01. Algebra I)

    RAFT is a non-profit whose mission is to help educators transform the learning experience through "hands-on" education that inspires the joy and discovery of learning.