What base is the hexadecimal numbering system?

The hexadecimal numbering system is a base-16 system. In this system, numbers are represented using sixteen distinct symbols: the digits 0-9 represent values zero to nine, and the letters A-F represent values ten to fifteen. This allows for a more compact representation of binary data, as one hexadecimal digit can represent four binary digits (bits). This makes hexadecimal particularly useful in computing and digital electronics, where it aligns well with the binary system, facilitating easier reading and interpretation of binary values.

In contrast, other bases mentioned in the choices represent different numbering systems. Base-2 refers to the binary system, which uses only two symbols (0 and 1); base-8 is the octal system, which uses eight symbols (0-7); and base-10 is the decimal system, which is the standard numeric system most commonly used in daily life, consisting of ten symbols (0-9). Each of these systems has its own uses, but in the context of this question, the correct identification of hexadecimal as base-16 highlights its unique structure and significance in the field of computer science.