What number system do hexadecimal digits operate on?

Hexadecimal digits operate on base-16. This number system includes sixteen distinct symbols: the first ten digits represent values from 0 to 9, and the next six symbols, which are represented by the letters A to F, correspond to the decimal values 10 through 15.

The base-16 system allows for a more compact representation of binary values, as each hexadecimal digit encompasses four binary digits (bits). For example, the hexadecimal value "2F" can be converted to binary as 0010 1111, showcasing how hexadecimal serves as an efficient shorthand for representing larger binary numbers. This characteristic makes hexadecimal particularly useful in computing and digital electronics, where it's commonly employed in programming and memory addressing.

In contrast, the other number systems mentioned are based on different foundations. Base-10 is the decimal system that most people are familiar with, comprising ten digits from 0 to 9. Base-8, or octal, consists of eight digits (0-7), and base-2 is the binary system using only two digits (0 and 1). Each of these systems serves specific purposes in various fields, but for hexadecimal, base-16 is the defining characteristic.