Technology – Form Two – Short Notes
Technology – Form Two – Short Notes
Unit 1: Data Representation in a Computer
Data Representation refers to the form in which data is stored, processed and transmitted.
Generally, Computers could analogue, digital or hybrid according to how computer represent
data.
Digital computers process data that is in discrete form.
Analogue computers process data that is continuous in nature.
Hybrid computers can process data that is both discrete and continuous.
Bits: Can be defined as a binary, which can be either 0 or 1.
Byte: A group of bits (8 bits) used to represent à Character. A byte is considered as the basic
unit of measuring memory size in computer.
A nibble: A collection of 4 bits where 16 bit words were processed in units of 4 bits.
Word: two or more bits make a word. Word is used as the measure of the number of bits in
each word.
Number system is a method that can be used to represent numbers.
Number systems can be divided into four main categories:
1. Decimal number system 3. Octal number system
2. Binary number system 4. Hexadecimal number system
Example
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Technology – Form Two – Short Notes
The term decimal is derived from a Latin prefix deci, which means ten. It is also called a base
ten number system or denary number system.
Binary number system is defined as a system in which numbers are represented using only
the digits 0 (off) and 1 (on). It is called a base-2 number system.
Octal Number System is one of the number representation techniques, in which the value of
the base is 8.
Hexadecimal number system refers to a base of 16numbering system that uses the letters
A-F and digits 0-9.
Converting binary number (01001111)2 into decimal
So, 01001111 in binary is equal to 79 decimal.
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Technology – Form Two – Short Notes
Converting binary number 01100011 into decimal
So, 01001111 in binary is equal to 99 decimal
There are two systems commonly used for character representation namely ASCII and
Unicode:
ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) is based on 128
characters.
Unicode are in 65536 possible characters.
Unit 3: Spreadsheet
Spreadsheet is a sheet where data and information is organized in rows and columns.
Spreadsheet is used to store information and data.
The columns are vertical and the rows are horizontal. A cell is where a column intersects with
a row.
The Ribbon includes several tabs, each with several command groups.
Quick Access Toolbar is just above the Ribbon and allows you to access common commands.
By default Quick Access Toolbar, it contains the commands Save, Undo, and Redo/Repeat.
There are three modes in the Ribbon Display Options menu:
1. Auto-hide Ribbon: will display your workbook in full screen mode and hides the
Ribbon completely.
2. Show Tabs: This option hides all groups of commands when not in use, but tabs will
remain visible.
3. Show Tabs and Commands: This option makes the Ribbon maximum. All tabs and
commands are set to be visible.
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Technology – Form Two – Short Notes
The following are the worksheet views:
1. Normal view: Is the default view for all Excel worksheets.
2. Page Layout view: This view also allows you to add headers and footers.
3. Page Break view: This view also allows you to change the position of the page breaks.
The worksheet is composed of thousands of rectangles, called cells. A cell is the intersection
of a row and a column, where a row and a column meet. Columns are identified by letters and
rows by numbers.
A workbook is a file that contains one or more worksheets to help you organize data.
Worksheet is a document that consists of rows, columns and cells.
Excel provides two ways of saving a file:
1. Save and 2. Save As
The cell content may contain various content types, including:
1. Text 2. Formatting 3. Formulas and functions.
A formula is a set of mathematical instructions which can be used to perform calculations in
excel. Formulas are applied in the formula box with an equal (=) sign at the beginning of the
formula.
Common functions in Excel:
1. Sum ( ): Adds all cells in the argument
2. Count ( ): Finds the number of cells that contain a numerical value within a range of
argument
3. Average( ): Calculates the average of the cells in the argument
4. Min ( ): Finds the minimum value
5. Max( ): Finds the maximum value
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Technology – Form Two – Short Notes
Unit 4: Multimedia
Multimedia is the combined use of text, graphics, sound, animation, video and any other
medium where knowledge of all kinds can be digitally replicated, stored, transmitted,
processed and controlled by computer.
Elements of multimedia
Text: All digital or multimedia productions have a certain amount of text.
Audio: A multimedia application may need to use speech, and sound effects.
Animation: Is a method whereby a static image looks as if it is moving and is merely
continuous series of still images shown in a sequence.
Graphics: Graphics make multimedia application more attractive.
Video: The term video refers to a moving image followed by sound like a television frame.
The following are common areas of applications of multimedia:
1. Multimedia in Business- multimedia applications are used by organizations for
various purposes.
2. Multimedia in Marketing and Advertising- New technologies can be significantly
improved by using digital marketing.
