In computers data is represented in binary format. So it can either be 0 or 1. Hexadecimal is a shortcut for representing binary. A hexadecimal digit can be any one of the following 16 digits: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F. Each of these hexadecimal representations is a 4 bit binary sequence. Hexadecimal is the name of the numbering system that is base 16. Using Hexadecimal we describe a numbering system in which 16 sequential numbers act as base units before a new position is added for new position. Using Hexadecimal number system we specify memory address in a computer system. For example a memory address 1101011010100000 which is binary address can be specified as D6A0 using Hexadecimal number system. This is much easier to remember.
| Denary | Binary | Hexadecimal |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0000 | 0 |
| 1 | 0001 | 1 |
| 2 | 0010 | 2 |
| 3 | 0011 | 3 |
| 4 | 0100 | 4 |
| 5 | 0101 | 5 |
| 6 | 0110 | 6 |
| 7 | 0111 | 7 |
| 8 | 1000 | 8 |
| 9 | 1001 | 9 |
| 10 | 1010 | A |
| 11 | 1011 | B |
| 12 | 1100 | C |
| 13 | 1101 | D |
| 14 | 1110 | E |
| 15 | 1111 | F |