Lab – Using the Windows Calculator with Network Addresses
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Part 1: Access the Windows Calculator
In Part 1, you will become familiar with the Microsoft Windows built-in calculator application and view the
available modes.
Step 1: Click the Windows Start button and select All Programs.
Step 2: Click the Accessories folder and select Calculator.
Step 3: After Calculator opens, click the View menu.
What are the four available modes?
Note: The Programmer and Scientific modes are used in this lab.
Part 2: Convert between Numbering Systems
In the Windows Calculator Programmer view, several number system modes are available: Hex (Hexadecimal
or base 16), Dec (Decimal or base 10), Oct (Octal or base 8), and Bin (Binary or base 2).
We are accustomed to using the decimal number system that uses the digits 0 to 9. The decimal numbering
system is used in everyday life for all counting, money, and financial transactions. Computers and other
electronic devices use the binary numbering system with only the digits 0 and 1 for data storage, data
transmission and numerical calculations. All computer calculations are ultimately performed internally in
binary (digital) form, regardless of how they are displayed.
One disadvantage of binary numbers is that the binary number equivalent of a large decimal number can be
quite long. This makes them difficult to read and write. One way to overcome this problem is to arrange binary
numbers into groups of four as hexadecimal numbers. Hexadecimal numbers are base 16, and a combination
of numbers from 0 to 9 and the letters A to F are used to represent the binary or decimal equivalent.
Hexadecimal characters are used when writing or displaying IPv6 and MAC addresses.
The octal numbering system is very similar in principle to hexadecimal. Octal numbers represent binary
numbers in groups of three. This numbering system uses digits 0 to 7. Octal numbers are also a convenient
way to represent a large binary number in smaller groups, but this numbering system is not commonly used.
In this lab, the Windows 7 Calculator is used to convert between different numbering systems in the
Programmer mode.
a. Click the View menu and select Programmer to switch to Programmer mode.
Note: For Windows XP and Vista, only two modes, Standard and Scientific, are available. If you are using one
of these operating systems, you can use the Scientific mode to perform this lab.
Which number system is currently active?
Which numbers on the number pad are active in decimal mode?
b. Click the Bin (Binary) radio button. Which numbers are active on the number pad now?
Why do you think the other numbers are grayed out?
c. Click the Hex (Hexadecimal) radio button. Which characters are activated on the number pad now?
