How to Find What a Hexadecimal Number Means

Computer software frequently makes use of the hexadecimal, or base 16, number system. It allows for simpler and more readable representation of the binary ones and zeroes. One example of hexadecimals in software is the HTML representation for color. Each color as two hexadecimal digits for a total of 255 possible hues of a color. Hexadecimal serves as an intermediary between decimal and binary.

Things You'll Need

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Instructions

    • 1

      Write down the hex number; for example, use 2D.

    • 2

      Convert each digit to a decimal counterpart. In the hexadecimal system, the numbers go from 0-9 for single digits. Ten through 15 are represented as the letters A through F. In the example, the digits are 2 and 13.

    • 3

      Convert each to their place value. The rightmost place is 16 to the power of 0 or 1. Multiply it by 13 in the example to get 13. The second-to-right digit is 16 raised to the power of 1 or 16. Multiply it by 2 to get 32.

    • 4

      Add the two numbers -- 32 + 13 = 25. Therefore, the hexadecimal number 2D equals 45 in decimal notation.

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