HEX - Hexadecimal

By: Preethi Ramkumar

Meaning of HEX - " Hexadecimal" (in Mathematics and Computer Science, Hexadecimal or simply Hex) is a numeral system with a radix or base of 16 usually written using the symbols 0–9 and A–F. The Hexadecimal system was first introduced to the computing world in 1963 by IBM. For example, the decimal numeral 79 whose binary representation is 01001111 can be written as 4F in hexadecimal (4 = 0100, F = 1111).

It is a useful system in computers because there is an easy mapping from four bits to a single hex digit. A byte can be represented as two consecutive hexadecimal digits. It was IBM that decided on the prefix of "hexa". The word "hexadecimal" is strange in that hexa is derived from the Greek word (hexi) for "six" and decimal is derived from the Latin for "ten". An older term was the pure Latin "sexidecimal", but that was changed because some people thought it too risqué, and it also had an alternative meaning of "base 60". However, the word "sexagesimal" (base-60) retains the prefix.

A common use of hexadecimal numerals is found in HTML and CSS. They use hexadecimal notation (hex triplets) to specify colours on web pages; there is just the # symbol, not a separate symbol for "hexadecimal". Twenty-four-bit color is represented in the format #RRGGBB, where RR specifies the value of the Red component of the color, GG the Green component and BB the Blue component. For example, a shade of red that is 238,9,63 in decimal is coded as #EE093F. This syntax is borrowed from the X Window System  

Other Related Definitions:

“…The other major numbering system used by computers is hexadecimal or Base 16. In this system, the numbers are counted from 0 to 9 then letters A to F before adding another digit. The letter A through F represent decimal numbers 10 through 15 respectively. The below chart indicates the values of the hexadecimal position compared to 16 raised to a power and decimal values It is much easier to work with large numbers using hexadecimal values than decimal. ” [Computerhope] 

“…Refers to the base-16 number system, which consists of 16 unique symbols: the numbers 0 to 9 and the letters A to F. For example, the decimal number 15 is represented as F in the hexadecimal numbering system. The hexadecimal system is useful because it can represent every byte (8 bits) as two consecutive hexadecimal digits. It is easier for humans to read hexadecimal numbers than binary numbers. To convert a value from hexadecimal to binary, you merely translate each hexadecimal digit into its 4-bit binary equivalent. Hexadecimal numbers have either an 0x prefix or an h suffix. ” [webopedia ] 

“…Hexadecimal.The base 16 numbering system, sometimes used as a short way of representing binary numbers.The digits 0-9 are used, plus the letters A-F which stand for numbers 10 to 15. The farthest-right digit is the ones place; the digit next to the left is the 16s place; the next place to the left is 16^2 = 256, etc.Each place is 16 times the place immediately to the right of it." [Computeruser ]

“… (Or "hex") Base 16. A number representation using the digits 0-9, with their usual meaning, plus the letters A-F (or a-f) to represent hexadecimal digits with values of (decimal) 10 to 15. The right-most digit counts ones, the next counts multiples of 16, then 16^2 = 256, etc. ” [ On-line Dictionary of Computing ] 

Related Links:

Hex triplet – Standard color names
About hexadecimal – On-line Dictionary of Computing
Change to the hexadecimal system – Forth Guide
Hexadecimal codes used for colour definition – Administrator's Guide
Encyclopedia – Factbites
Understanding Decimal, Binary and Hexadecimal – Northwestern University

Products and Solutions:

Altera - Hexadecimal (Intel-Format)
Ultraedit – The ideal text, HEX, HTML, PHP
The Hex Workshop – BreakPoint Software

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