What is the base of the Hexadecimal Number System?

The hexadecimal number system operates on a base of 16. This means it uses 16 distinct symbols to represent values. The symbols utilized in hexadecimal include the digits 0 through 9 to represent values zero to nine, and the letters A through F (or a through f) to represent values ten through fifteen.

In contrast, the decimal system is base 10, employing ten distinct symbols; the binary system is base 2, using only two symbols (0 and 1); and the octal system is base 8, which uses eight symbols. Therefore, the understanding of hexadecimal as a base 16 system is crucial for working with concepts that involve digital electronics and computer systems, where binary and hexadecimal are frequently applied.