What is your strategy for converting a hexadecimal number to binary?

Question Analysis

The question asks for a strategy to convert a hexadecimal number to a binary number. This is a technical question typically encountered in coding interviews, testing your understanding of number systems and your ability to manipulate and convert between them. Hexadecimal (base 16) and binary (base 2) are commonly used in computing. Each hexadecimal digit corresponds to a 4-bit binary number, which makes conversion straightforward if you understand this relationship.

Answer

To convert a hexadecimal number to binary, follow these steps:

1. Understand the mapping: Each hexadecimal digit maps directly to a 4-bit binary number. The hexadecimal digits '0' to '9' represent binary values '0000' to '1001', and 'A' to 'F' represent '1010' to '1111'.

2. Convert each digit: Take each digit of the hexadecimal number and replace it with its 4-bit binary equivalent. This conversion can be done using a lookup table or a simple rule if memorized.

3. Concatenate the binary values: Once each hexadecimal digit is converted to binary, concatenate all the 4-bit binary numbers together to form the complete binary representation.

Example: Convert the hexadecimal number 1A3 to binary.

• 1 in hexadecimal is 0001 in binary.
• A (which is 10 in decimal) in hexadecimal is 1010 in binary.
• 3 in hexadecimal is 0011 in binary.

Putting it all together, the binary equivalent of the hexadecimal 1A3 is 0001 1010 0011.

By following this systematic approach, you can efficiently convert any hexadecimal number to its binary form.