2-digit Hexadecimal to Denary Converter

1. Understand Hexa-Decimal:

Hexadecimal uses 16 digits (0-9, A-F) to represent numbers.

Each digit has a value based on its position:

Rightmost digit: 0-F * 16

Leftmost digit: 0-F * 1.

in base 10, we multiply by powers of 10 based on position. In hexadecimal, we multiply by powers of 16 based on position

Powers of 16	161	160
Base 10	16	1

Don't forget that the numbers 0-F correspond to based 10 0-15 :10 (A), 11 (B), 12 (C), ..., 15 (F)

Hexadecimal	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

2- Multiply and Add:

Instead of multiplying directly by the position value, we use the power of 16.

Taking the hex number AB as an example:

• Multiply the leftmost digit (its value based on position) by 16¹:
• A (leftmost) = 10 * 16¹ = 160
• Multiply the rightmost digit (its value based on position) by 16⁰:
• B (rightmost) = 11 * 16⁰ = 11 * 1 = 11
• Add the products to get the denary equivalent:
• 160 + 11 = 171

Therefore, the 2-digit hexadecimal number AB is equivalent to the denary number 171.

As you may be able to tell, it REALLY helps to know your 16 times table. Practice your 16 times table here