Random Binary Generator: One Byte With Its Decimal and Hex

Random Binary Generator: One Byte With Its Decimal and Hex: how it works

This random binary generator draws one byte at a time and writes it as eight bits in two groups of four, such as 1011 0010. All 256 bytes are equally likely. Under the result you get the same number in decimal and in hex, then the places that add up to it. Tap 16 bits or 24 bits for a longer number. Copy gives the bits with no space.

How to read a byte

Say the result is 1011 0010. Each place in a byte is worth double the one to its right: 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1. Add up the places that hold a 1: 128 + 32 + 16 + 2 = 178. For hex, take each group of four on its own. 1011 is 11, which hex writes as B, and 0010 is 2, so the byte is B2.

Practice: convert first, then check

Cover the lines under the result, convert the byte on paper, then look. The table below the tool lists all 256 bytes in counting order, each with its sum, so you can also work backwards: pick a decimal number, write it in binary, and find its row. The 95 rows from 32 to 126 name their ASCII character as well.

Tips

• Exactly four 1s is the most common count in a random byte: 70 of the 256 bytes have it. One byte is all 0s and one is all 1s.
• Capital A is 0100 0001 and small a is 0110 0001. Only the 32 place differs, and the same goes for every letter in ASCII.
• In hex, 1001 is 9, 1010 is A and 1111 is F.

Questions and answers