Binary Lights

What your child will figure out

• Predict a hidden place value by doubling as the board moves left.
• Build decimal targets by switching each binary place on at most once.
• Predict and explain a carry ripple from 00111 to 01000.
• Practise generated binary targets while adaptive difficulty expands from four to eight bits.

The levels

1. The doubling

   Predict 16 from its neighbour 8, flip bulbs, observe live sums, and explain the doubling rule.

2. Build a number

   Build 13 as 8 + 4 + 1 and connect the lit bulbs to 01101.

3. Carry ripple

   Predict and observe the pattern after 00111 when one is added.

4. Five-bit maximum

   Transfer place-value reasoning to the maximum capacity of a five-bit board.