Circular Model for Binary Numbers, Binary Thinking, Base Two System, Place Values

Circular Model for Building Binary (Base-Two) Thinking: 8-bit

This is a circular model (8-bit, about 110mm in diameter) for children to play with binary numbers or binary ways of reasoning, in a gaming manner! It does not require a wide base to stand and is funto spin around.

You would need a circular board and 8 copies of 1 and 0 each. It works on an integer between 0 and 255, including 0 and 255.

There are many ways to use the binary game board. The following is one way to interact with a child or anybody at a party:

How to Play

To begin with, ask a child to think of a base-ten number between 0 and 255 without revealing it to you. Then, you ask, "Is your number bigger or equal to 128?" If the answer is yes, then place a "1" in the 128 slot and subtract 128 from the original number to get the remaining number. Otherwise, place "0" in the 128 slot and move on.

Ask similar questions about the left-over using 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, and 1, placing either "1" or "0" in the corresponding slot. The result is the base-two representation of the child's original number. It is essentially binary sorting using the place values.

Of course, by adding up all the place values with 1's, you would be able to figure out the original base-ten number. The child would be impressed with your math magic!

Switch roles and play again and again. I have used the binary game numerous times with children and college students with very positive experiences!

Have fun and play with math!

See my linear design at

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2662334