1. Task 1

2. Question 1
What is this called?

3. Question 1: Answer
A barcode

4. Question 2
Why are they used?

5. Question 2: Answers
A lot of information can be stored in a small space
They can be easily placed on objects e.g. book covers, boxes etc
They can reduce the time at the till – quicker to scan than look for price tags
As the information is stored on a database, when changes are made the packaging isn’t affected

6. Question 3
How do they work?

7. Question 3: Answers
Every single product in the world has a different barcode i.e. A large tin of baked beans will have a different barcode to a small tin of beans
There is a company which issues barcodes to manufacturers to ensure that they are all unique

8. Question 3: Answers
The manufacturer ID number is in the first six digits of the barcode
The next five digits are the item number
The final number is called a ‘check digit’ – it is used to ensure that the other numbers have been entered correctly

9. Question 3: Answers
Each digit is coded by two black and two white stripes which can be different widths
The barcode is read by a scanner
The code is then looked up against a database
The information from the database is then displayed for the product

10. 5 different examples of where you might see them used
Question 4
5 different examples of where you might see them used

11. Question 4: Answers
Product information on products e.g. tins and packets
Product information on book covers
Shipping packages and crates
Stock control in warehouses
Luggage tickets at airports
Tickets for concerts, fairgrounds, sports events
Games – get a creature when you scan a barcode
Lots of other examples – did you think of any?