1

UNIT 1

COMPUTER

OPERATIONS AND

FUNDAMENTALS

LESSON 3:

Unit of measurement for computer storage

Lesson Contents

• How a computer stores data

• Units of measurement for computer

storage

• Quick Test

• Recap

2

Computer Storage

3

The computer stores text, numbers, pictures, audio and

other forms of information as a string of bits

bits = binary digits

A bit has a value of 1 or 0.

Units of measurement

4

4 bits = 1 nibble

8 bits = 1 byte

A byte, is used as the fundamental unit of

measurement for computer data.

It is used to store a letter, a number or a symbol.

1 byte = 8 bits = 2 nibbles

Units of measurement

5

Since most files contain thousands of

bytes, file sizes are often measured

in kilobytes (KB).

1 KB = 1024 bytes

Remember in computer science1 Kilo = 1024

Units of measurement

6

Larger files, such as images, videos

and audio files, contain millions of

bytes and, therefore, are measured in

megabytes (MB).

1 MB = 1024 KB = 1024 × 1024 bytes

Units of measurement

7

Modern storage devices can store thousands of

multimedia files.

Their storage capacity is measured

in gigabytes (GB).

1 GB = 1024 MB = 1024 × 1024 KB = 1024 × 1024 × 1024 bytes

Units of measurement

8

1 TB = 1024 GB

= 1024 × 1024 MB

= 1024 × 1024 × 1024 KB

= 1024 × 1024 × 1024 × 1024 bytes

A higher unit of storage is a terabyte (TB).

Quick Test

9

7 bytes are needed to store the word.

How many bytes are required to store the word printer?

A 7 bytes

B 8 bytes

C 6 bytes

Quick Test

10

“printer” consists of 7 letters.

7 bytes are needed to store the word.

Answer = A

How many bytes are required to store the word printer?

A 7 bytes

B 8 bytes

C 6 bytes

Quick Test

11

TRUE FALSE

2 = 16 bits

2 bytes = 16 bits

Quick Test

12

TRUE

1 byte = 8 bits

2 bytes= 8 × 2 = 16 bits

2 bytes = 16 bits

Quick Test

13

TRUE FALSE

1 Gigabyte = 1024 bytes

Quick Test

14

1 Gigabyte = 1024 bytes

1 GB = = 1024 × 1024 × 1024 bytes = 1024 × 1024 KB = 1024 MB

FALSE

1 Gigabyte = 1024 Megabytes

Quick Test

15

TRUE FALSE

4 nibbles = 1 byte

Quick Test

16

FALSE

2 nibbles = 1 byte

4 nibbles = 2 bytes

4 nibbles = 1 byte

Quick Test

17

TRUE FALSE

1 Gigabyte > 500 Megabytes

Quick Test

18

TRUE

1 GB = 1024 MB

Therefore 1 GB > 500 MB

1 Gigabyte > 500 Megabytes

Quick Test

19

Rearrange the following units of measurement

starting with the highest:

Gigabyte

Kilobyte

Megabyte

Terabyte

Quick Test

20

Rearrange the following units of measurement

starting with the highest:

Gigabyte

Kilobyte

Megabyte

Terabyte

2. Gigabyte

4. Kilobyte

3. Megabyte

1. Terabyte

Recap

Computer storage is measured in terms

of bytes.

1 byte = 2 nibbles = 8 bits

1 byte is needed to store one character

such as a letter, a number or a symbol.

Recap

Higher units of measurement for computer

storage are: Kilobyte (KB)

Megabyte (MB)

Gigabyte (GB)

Terabyte (TB)

End of Lesson