What is a significant advantage of using hexadecimal in computing?

Using hexadecimal representation in computing is advantageous primarily because it is more compact and readable than binary. In binary, each digit represents a power of two, which means that longer strings of digits can become cumbersome and difficult for humans to interpret quickly. Hexadecimal, on the other hand, condenses large binary numbers into a more digestible format by representing each group of four binary digits (bits) as a single hexadecimal digit.

For example, the binary number 1111 1111 can be represented as FF in hexadecimal, making it significantly shorter and easier to read. This efficiency is especially beneficial in programming and debugging, where developers often need to work with memory addresses, color codes in graphics programming, or other numerical data frequently.

The other options, while each having their own merits, do not highlight the primary benefit as effectively. For instance, hexadecimal does not inherently make binary calculations easier nor does it guarantee universal recognition across all systems, as compatibility issues may arise. Although it can contribute to reducing errors during data transmission by simplifying data representation, the major strength of hexadecimal lies in its compactness and clarity when compared to binary.