Year 10 - Computing
Hexadecimal number conversions
Representation of numbers
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will be reminded of how the base-10 number system works before being introduced to the base-2 number system. They will perform conversions between binary and decimal and recognise the rules of binary addition and subtraction. They will be introduced to hexadecimal and its uses.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to convert decimal numbers to and from hexadecimal numbers.
Key Notes
- Hexadecimal is a base-16 number system.
- Binary numbers can be converted to and from hexadecimal.
- Decimal numbers can be converted to and from hexadecimal.
Vocabulary To Learn
- hexadecimal: a base-16 number system that uses the digits 0 to 9 and the letters A, B, C, D, E and F
- decimal: a base-10 number system that uses the digits 0 to 9
- binary: a number system that uses the digits 0 and 1 to represent data
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- You have to convert an 8 bit binary number in one go.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Describe the system or process from this lesson in clear steps.
Hexadecimal is a base-16 number system. Binary numbers can be converted to and from hexadecimal.
2. Define this computing term and give one practical example. 'hexadecimal'
a base-16 number system that uses the digits 0 to 9 and the letters A, B, C, D, E and F. Add one real device or system example to prove understanding.
3. Correct this common computing misconception.
Mistake: You have to convert an 8 bit binary number in one go. Correction: As a hexadecimal digit can be represented by 4 binary digits, it is useful to convert binary numbers in nibbles (4-bits at a time). This way each digit can be converted separately and then recombined for the final value.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 10 Computing guide library.