What is the hexadecimal number system derived from?

The hexadecimal number system is derived from a base of 16 symbols. This system utilizes the digits 0 through 9 to represent values zero through nine, and the letters A through F to represent values ten through fifteen. Thus, it encompasses a total of 16 distinct characters, making it a base-16 system.

Hexadecimal is widely used in computing and digital electronics because it can compactly represent binary data. Each hexadecimal digit corresponds to a 4-bit binary sequence, allowing for easier readability and a more compact representation of large binary numbers. This attribute makes hexadecimal particularly useful in programming and system design where binary representation is critical.

Other numeric systems, such as decimal (base 10) or octal (base 8), do not fit this context as they are built on a different count of symbols, which limits their representation compared to hexadecimal.