Hexadecimal to Binary
Hexadecimal to Binary Converter
A Hexadecimal to Binary Converter is a tool or mathematical process that helps you convert numbers from the hexadecimal number system to the binary number system. Hexadecimal and binary are both different base systems used in mathematics and computing.
Here's a brief explanation of both systems:
- Hexadecimal (Base-16):
- The hexadecimal number system uses sixteen digits: 0-9 and A-F (where A stands for 10, B for 11, C for 12, D for 13, E for 14, and F for 15 in decimal).
- Hexadecimal is commonly used in computer science and programming because it can represent large binary values compactly.
- For example, in hexadecimal, the number 1A is equivalent to binary 00011010 (or decimal 26).
- Binary (Base-2):
- The binary number system uses two digits: 0 and 1.
- Binary is fundamental in computer science and digital electronics because it represents data using bits (0s and 1s).
- For example, the binary number 1101 is equivalent to decimal 13.
To convert a hexadecimal number to binary, you can follow these steps:
- Replace each hexadecimal digit with its binary equivalent (4 bits each).
- Combine the binary equivalents of all the hexadecimal digits.
Let's illustrate this with an example:
Suppose you have the hexadecimal number 1A.
- Replace each hexadecimal digit with its binary equivalent:
- 1 in hexadecimal is 0001 in binary.
- A in hexadecimal is 1010 in binary.
- Combine the binary equivalents:
- 0001 1010
So, the hexadecimal number 1A is equivalent to the binary number 00011010.
You can use online converters, calculators, or programming languages like Python to perform these conversions automatically, especially when dealing with longer hexadecimal numbers.