How to Convert a Binary Number to Hexadecimal
Binary numbers and hexadecimal numbers are both widely used in computer science and digital electronics. They are used to represent data in various formats, and converting between them is a common task. In this article, we will discuss how to convert a binary number to a hexadecimal number step by step.
Understanding the Basics
Before we dive into the conversion process, it’s essential to understand the basics of binary and hexadecimal numbers. Binary numbers are base-2 numbers, meaning they are composed of only two digits: 0 and 1. Hexadecimal numbers, on the other hand, are base-16 numbers, consisting of ten digits (0-9) and six letters (A-F). The letter ‘A’ represents the decimal value 10, ‘B’ represents 11, and so on up to ‘F’ which represents 15.
Converting Binary to Hexadecimal
To convert a binary number to a hexadecimal number, follow these steps:
1. Start from the rightmost digit of the binary number.
2. Group the binary digits into sets of four, starting from the rightmost digit. If the leftmost group has fewer than four digits, add leading zeros to make it a complete group.
3. Convert each group of four binary digits to its corresponding hexadecimal digit using the following table:
| Binary | Hexadecimal |
|——–|————-|
| 0000 | 0 |
| 0001 | 1 |
| 0010 | 2 |
| 0011 | 3 |
| 0100 | 4 |
| 0101 | 5 |
| 0110 | 6 |
| 0111 | 7 |
| 1000 | 8 |
| 1001 | 9 |
| 1010 | A |
| 1011 | B |
| 1100 | C |
| 1101 | D |
| 1110 | E |
| 1111 | F |
4. Combine the hexadecimal digits to get the final hexadecimal number.
Example
Let’s take the binary number 11011010 and convert it to hexadecimal:
1. Group the binary digits into sets of four: 1101 1010
2. Convert each group to its corresponding hexadecimal digit:
– 1101 becomes D
– 1010 becomes A
3. Combine the hexadecimal digits: DA
Therefore, the binary number 11011010 is equivalent to the hexadecimal number DA.
Conclusion
Converting a binary number to a hexadecimal number is a straightforward process that involves grouping the binary digits and converting each group to its hexadecimal equivalent. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily convert any binary number to its hexadecimal representation.
