| System | Base | Digits Used | Used For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denary (Decimal) | Base 10 | 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | Human counting, everyday numbers |
| Binary | Base 2 | 0, 1 | Computer storage, processing, machine code |
| Hexadecimal (Hex) | Base 16 | 0-9, A, B, C, D, E, F | Memory addresses, colors (RGB), MAC addresses, error codes |
Hexadecimal Digit Values:
Hex: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F Denary: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
This key facts covers Number Systems Comparison within Binary & Hex for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Binary & Hex in 3.3 Data Representation for GCSE Computer Science with 16 exam-style questions and 22 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 4 of 15 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for Binary & Hex
Which of the following correctly describes the hexadecimal number system?
Explain why hexadecimal is used instead of binary when programmers write memory addresses and colour codes. Give three reasons.