The spelling of the term "hexadecimal number system" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) notation. The first syllable "hexa" is pronounced as /ˈhɛksə/, with stress on the first syllable. "Decimal" is pronounced as /ˈdɛsɪməl/, also with stress on the first syllable. When combined, "hexadecimal" is pronounced as /ˌhɛksəˈdɛsɪməl/. The emphasis is on the third syllable. The term refers to a number system that uses sixteen distinct symbols, including 0-9 and A-F, to represent values from 0 to 15.
The hexadecimal number system is a numeral system that uses a base of 16. It is commonly used in computer science, digital electronics, and mathematics. In this system, the 16 digits used to represent numbers are 0-9 and the letters A-F. Each digit in a hexadecimal number represents a specific value, just like in the decimal system.
Hexadecimal numbers are often used to represent binary numbers in a more compact and readable form. Since the binary system uses a base of 2, it becomes lengthy and difficult to read for large binary numbers. By converting binary numbers into their corresponding hexadecimal representation, it becomes easier to work with and understand.
In this number system, each digit position has a weight assigned to it. The rightmost position represents 16^0, the next position represents 16^1, and so on. For example, the hexadecimal number AF3 can be expanded to (10 * 16^2) + (15 * 16^1) + (3 * 16^0) in decimal form.
Hexadecimal numbers are particularly important in computing as they are commonly used to represent memory addresses, colors in graphics, and binary code. They offer a convenient and concise way of expressing large binary numbers without losing clarity or precision.