Ch 3 · Hexadecimal — Shorthand for Binary · Theory

Topic 3 of 14 in Data Representation — How Computers Store Everything as Numbers — 3 lessons.

Why Hex Exists

Binary is correct but painful to read: 11111010 is easy to miscopy. Hexadecimal (base 16) is a compact shorthand. Its genius: one hex digit is exactly four bits (a "nibble"), so binary ↔ hex is a clean swap with no maths.

Binary ↔ Hex in Four-Bit Chunks

Take 11111010, split into two nibbles, convert each:

Quick Check

All topics in Theory Data-representation

  1. Why Computers Use Binary
  2. Counting in Binary
  3. Hexadecimal — Shorthand for Binary
  4. Binary Addition & Overflow
  5. Negative Numbers — Two's Complement
  6. Logical Binary Shifts
  7. Representing Text
  8. Representing Images
  9. Representing Sound
  10. Storage Units & Compression
  11. Floating-Point Numbers (A Level)
  12. More Number Representations
  13. File Organisation & Access (A Level)
  14. Check Your Understanding