Introduction to the Hexadecimal System - JSS2 Computer Studies Lesson Note
The hexadecimal system is another numerical base commonly used in computing, complementing the binary system. Unlike binary, which uses two digits (0 and 1), hexadecimal uses sixteen digits, represented by the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-F. This system is widely employed in computing for its compact representation of binary data, making it more human-readable and convenient.
Understanding the Hexadecimal System:
In the hexadecimal system, each digit represents a power of 16. The rightmost digit has a weight of 160, the next digit to the left has a weight of 161, and so on. This system allows for a concise representation of large binary numbers, as each hexadecimal digit corresponds to a group of four binary digits (bits).
For instance, the hexadecimal number "2A" translates to binary as follows: 2×161+10×160=32+10=42
This means that "2A" in hexadecimal is equivalent to "42" in decimal.