Number bases and why hexadecimal is used

Overview

Decimal, binary and hexadecimal, the values of A to F, place values in binary and hex, why computers work in binary, and why programmers read data in hexadecimal.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is a number base?

   Model answer

   A number base is the number of different digits a counting system uses. Each place in a number is worth the base times the place to its right.

2. 2

   What is the base of the decimal system, and which digits does it use?

   Model answer

   Decimal is base 10. Decimal uses the ten digits 0 to 9.

3. 3

   Which digits does binary use?

   Model answer

   Binary is base 2 and uses only the digits 0 and 1. Each binary digit is called a bit.

4. 4

   Which symbols does hexadecimal use?

   Model answer

   Hexadecimal is base 16. Hexadecimal uses the digits 0 to 9 followed by the letters A to F.

5. 5

   Why does hexadecimal need the letters A to F?

   Model answer

   Base 16 needs sixteen single symbols, but there are only ten numerals. The letters A to F stand for the values 10 to 15.

6. 6

   State the decimal values of the hexadecimal digits A to F.

   Model answer

   A is 10, B is 11 and C is 12. D is 13, E is 14 and F is 15.

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