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Learn: KB to PB - Using Data Units Confidently
OCR GCSE J277 Computer Science specification
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Welcome!Welcome to today's lesson about data units! You've already learned the basics of how computers use storage, including RAM, ROM, cache, and secondary storage like magnetic, optical, and solid-state devices. Today, we'll build on that knowledge to understand how computers use and measure data in units like kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), terabytes (TB), and petabytes (PB).
What are Data Units?Data units are used to measure the size of digital information. Computers store data in binary (ones and zeroes), and we use data units to describe how much information is stored or transferred. Each unit is based on powers of 10 (decimal system). For example, 1 kilobyte (KB) is equal to 1,000 bytes.
Which of these is the smallest data unit?
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How Are Data Units Related?Each unit is 1,000 times larger than the previous one. For example, 1 kilobyte (KB) equals 1,000 bytes, 1 megabyte (MB) equals 1,000 kilobytes, and so on. This progression helps us easily describe large amounts of storage or data transfer.
A {{blank0}} is equal to {{blank1}} bytes.
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Converting Between Data UnitsTo convert between data units, remember the conversion factors: 1 KB = 1,000 bytes, 1 MB = 1,000 KB, 1 GB = 1,000 MB, 1 TB = 1,000 GB, and 1 PB = 1,000 TB. To convert from a smaller unit to a larger unit, divide by 1,000. To convert from a larger unit to a smaller unit, multiply by 1,000.
Match the items on the left with their correct pairs on the right
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Why Is Understanding Data Units Important?Knowing how to work with data units helps us choose the right storage device for a specific task. For example, if you need to store 1 TB of data, you can pick a hard drive with enough capacity instead of a USB drive with only a few GB.
Which storage device is best for storing 5 TB of data?
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File SizesFile sizes are measured in data units. For example, an image file might be 2 MB, a video file could be 2 GB, and a backup might be 5 TB. Larger files require more storage space and may take longer to transfer.
Which of these file sizes are greater than 1 GB? (Select all that apply)
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Review Time!Great work so far! You've learned how data units are defined, related, and converted. Let's review everything you've learned with some questions.
Which of the following are true about data units? (Select all that apply)
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Match the items on the left with their correct pairs on the right
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Match the items on the left with their correct pairs on the right
Start the lesson to answer this matching question
A file size of 5,000 KB is equal to {{blank0}} MB. To convert KB to MB, you {{blank1}} by 1,000.
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Great Job!You've completed the lesson on using data units confidently! Now you know how to define and convert between KB, MB, GB, TB, and PB. Keep practising these skills to master data unit conversions!
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