Hexadecimal

From Computer Science Wiki
This is a basic concept in computer science

In mathematics and computing, hexadecimal (also base 16, or hex) is a positional numeral system with a radix, or base, of 16. It uses sixteen distinct symbols, most often the symbols 0–9 to represent values zero to nine, and A–F (or alternatively a–f) to represent values ten to fifteen.[1]

Basic Definitions[edit]

  • bit: A binary digit, either a 0 or 1.
  • byte: A group of 8 adjacent binary digits (8 bits), on which a computer operates as a unit
  • binary: The binary numeral system is a base 2 number system.
  • denary/decimal: The decimal numeral system (also called base 10 or occasionally denary) has ten as its base.[2]
  • hexadecimal: In mathematics and computing, hexadecimal (also base 16, or hex) is a positional numeral system with a radix, or base, of 16[3]. Click here for an excellent video about hexidecimal


A helpful cheat sheet[edit]


NumberSystems.png



What you must know[edit]

You must be able to correctly answer the following questions:

  • Define the term: bit
  • Define the term: byte
  • Define the term: binary
  • Define the term: denary/decimal (they refer to the same thing)
  • Define the term: hexadecimal


Resources[edit]

Click here for a slide deck that covers this topic nicely

References[edit]