DECIMAL 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

HEX 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
BINARY 0000 0001 0010 0011 0100 0101 0110 0111

DECIMAL 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
HEX 8 9 A B C D E F
BINARY 1000 1001 1010 1011 1100 1101 1110 1111

Note that HEXADECIMAL code goes from 0 to 9, then the numbers 10 to 15 are represented by the letters
A to F.

Where is this hexadecimal used?

Each networkable machine or component has a unique identifier (just like a primary key in a database).

A networkable machine or component can be a computer, printer, network card, modem, etc.

This unique identifier is added by the manufacturer and is not only printed on the device, but is embedded
in the program code which is in the ROM chip. This allows the system software as well as network software
to read the code and hence identify the component.

Here is an answer from the internet:

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
(don’t laugh, beginning students do ask that question). Let’s look at an example, using a byte. Bytes are
typically 8 bits, and can store the values 0 – 255 (0000 0000 – 1111 1111 in binary). For people, expressing
numbers in binary is not convenient. I am not going to turn around to my co-worker and tell him that my
phone number is 101 101 101 001 010 001 010 for obvious reasons. Imagine having to try and work with
that on a daily basis. So a more convenient expression is needed for the human side.

Since a byte is 8 bits, it makes sense to divide that up into two groups, the top 4 bits and the low 4 bits.
Since 4 bits gives you the possible range from 0 – 15, a base 16 system is easier to work with, especially if
you are only familiar with alphanumeric characters (I don’t know of any languages have 255 letters in their
alphabet, but I am naive and not worldly). It’s easier to express a binary value to another person as “A”
then it is to express it as “1010”. This way I can simple use 2 hex values to represent a byte and have it
work cleanly. This way if I am poor at math, I only need to memorize the multiplication tables up to 15. So
if I have a hex value of CE, I can easily determine that 12 * 14 = 206 in decimal, and can easily write it out
in binary as 1100 1110. Trying to convert from binary would require me to know what each place holder
represents, and add all the values together (128 + 64 + 8 + 4 + 2 = 206). It’s much easier to work with
binary through hex than any other base system.

{My own note here: for the purpose of CXC, you should get in the habit of converting to binary first, then
to decimal like this :– CE = 1100 1110 = 206. Refer to the chart above if necessary}.

Here is the MAC address of a

computer written in hexadecimal

Here is the IP address which is

given to the computer by the
network switch

BCD
Incidentally, there is such a thing as a binary coded decimal. Binary coded decimals are used more for our
convenience than for the machines. I have seen BCD more often in electronic circuits using 7 segment
displays, and various encoding methods used in PC’s. In BCD, 4 bit patterns are used to represent one base
10 digit. Once the value 9 is represented, another 4 bits are allocated. To compare, the value 10 in straight
binary is 1010, where as in BCD it is 0001 0000. Another example is in straight binary, 29 is represented
as 0001 1101. In BCD it is 0010 1001.

P O ST E D BY JO H N WA R D
Note: BCD (check your text book) uses the 4 bit codes for the numbers 0 – 9 only. You should know all the
four bit codes up to 15 (i.e. 1111).
Remember this table?

28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20
256 128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1

Representative of base 2. Used when you are converting a binary number to base 10. If you place a 1 in
each position from 128 to 1, you will get a value of 255. Don’t take my word for it; try it for yourself.