To determine how many binary digits a single hexadecimal digit represents, let's explore the relationship between hexadecimal and binary number systems.
1. Hexadecimal System:
- The hexadecimal system is a base-16 number system.
- It uses 16 symbols: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, A, B, C, D, E, F.
2. Binary System:
- The binary system is a base-2 number system.
- It uses 2 symbols: 0 and 1.
3. Hexadecimal to Binary Relationship:
- Each hexadecimal digit can correspond to exactly 4 binary digits (also known as bits).
- For instance:
- The hexadecimal digit '0' corresponds to the binary "0000".
- The hexadecimal digit '1' corresponds to the binary "0001".
- The hexadecimal digit 'A' (which is 10 in decimal) corresponds to the binary "1010".
- The hexadecimal digit 'F' (which is 15 in decimal) corresponds to the binary "1111".
This correspondence shows that each hexadecimal digit can be precisely and uniquely represented by 4 binary digits.
Therefore, the answer is:
OC. 4
