Hi, can anyone tell me why computers use hexadecimal. Cheers Mark
M markh Posts: 14 +0 May 5, 2009 #1 Hi, can anyone tell me why computers use hexadecimal. Cheers Mark
K kimsland Posts: 13,806 +3 May 5, 2009 #2 The main reason why we use hexadecimal numbers is because it is much easier to express binary number representations in hex than it is in any other base number system. Computers do not actually work in hex, they work in bits (ones and zeros) Each hexadecimal digit represents four binary bits, and typically 8 bits is one Byte More info here: http://digiassn.blogspot.com/2006/02/why-do-we-use-hexadecimal.html So instead of saying: 101101101001010001010, it is much easier to say: 16d28a in hexadecimal Free calculator here: http://calculators.mathwarehouse.com/binary-hexadecimal-calculator.php#hexadecimalBinaryCalculator Here's a simple graph
The main reason why we use hexadecimal numbers is because it is much easier to express binary number representations in hex than it is in any other base number system. Computers do not actually work in hex, they work in bits (ones and zeros) Each hexadecimal digit represents four binary bits, and typically 8 bits is one Byte More info here: http://digiassn.blogspot.com/2006/02/why-do-we-use-hexadecimal.html So instead of saying: 101101101001010001010, it is much easier to say: 16d28a in hexadecimal Free calculator here: http://calculators.mathwarehouse.com/binary-hexadecimal-calculator.php#hexadecimalBinaryCalculator Here's a simple graph