FC0-U71 Tech Concepts and Terminology Practice Question
Which of the following is the binary representation of the decimal number 5?
⚠ Common exam trap
FC0-U71 often tests basic decimal-to-binary conversion with closely spaced distractors — candidates who rush or misalign place values pick 0100 or 0110, which differ by a single bit from the correct answer.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
0101
The decimal number 5 in binary is 0101, because 4 (2^2) + 1 (2^0) = 5. Reading the bits left to right as 8-4-2-1 place values: 0*8 + 1*4 + 0*2 + 1*1 = 5. This is the correct 4-bit binary representation of decimal 5.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
0100
Why it's wrong here
0100 equals decimal 4, not 5, because the twos-place bit is set while the ones-place bit is clear. It is tempting as it mirrors the correct pattern for 4, and would be the right answer had the question asked for the binary representation of decimal 4 instead.
- ✗
0011
Why it's wrong here
0011 evaluates to 3, since the two set bits represent 2 and 1, so it cannot represent decimal 5. It is tempting because four-bit binary strings look alike, and 0011 is a valid representation of a small integer; it would be correct if the question asked for decimal 3.
- ✗
0110
Why it's wrong here
Binary 0110 equals decimal 6, not 5, because the place values 4+2 are set. It is tempting as it mirrors the pattern of 0101 with the bits transposed, and 0110 is the correct answer for decimal 6, so it would be right if the stem asked for 6.
- ✓
0101
Why this is correct
Binary 0101 equals 4 plus 1, which is 5 in decimal. Reading the bits right to left as powers of two (1, 2, 4, 8), the ones occupy the 4 and 1 positions, giving 4 + 1 = 5. The leading zero is just padding to four bits.
About these practice questions
This FC0-U71 question is part of Courseiva's 988-question bank — original exam-style content with full explanations and wrong-answer analysis, never real exam questions or exam dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.