What is hexadecimal notation commonly used for in computing, and what is the decimal value of 0x1A?

What is hexadecimal notation commonly used for in computing, and what is the decimal value of 0x1A?

• A. To represent binary data compactly and memory addresses; 0x1A equals 26.
• B. To represent decimal numbers more easily; 0x1A equals 16.
• C. To store data on magnetic tape; 0x1A equals 10.
• D. To replace binary; 0x1A equals 42.

Answer: (A)

Hexadecimal notation is used in computing because it offers a compact way to represent binary data and memory addresses. Each hex digit represents four bits, so two hex digits correspond to a full byte, making it easier to read and relate to binary and memory layouts, as well as to color codes and machine instructions. For 0x1A, the left digit 1 stands for 1×16, and the right digit A represents 10, giving 1×16 + 10 = 26 in decimal. The 0x prefix simply signals that the number is in base-16. Other options don’t fit because hexadecimal is not primarily about decimal representation, it isn’t about storing data on magnetic tape, and it isn’t about replacing binary—it’s just a convenient base-16 way to express binary data and addresses.

Hexadecimal notation is used in computing because it offers a compact way to represent binary data and memory addresses. Each hex digit represents four bits, so two hex digits correspond to a full byte, making it easier to read and relate to binary and memory layouts, as well as to color codes and machine instructions.

For 0x1A, the left digit 1 stands for 1×16, and the right digit A represents 10, giving 1×16 + 10 = 26 in decimal. The 0x prefix simply signals that the number is in base-16.

Other options don’t fit because hexadecimal is not primarily about decimal representation, it isn’t about storing data on magnetic tape, and it isn’t about replacing binary—it’s just a convenient base-16 way to express binary data and addresses.