IP addresses are unique identification addresses to distinguish different computers as they communicate across the internet. IP addresses are made up of four numbers each ranging from 0 to 255. As with all other pieces of electronic information, on a machine level IP addresses are represented in binary strings made up of 0s and 1s. Binary representations are good for many things, but being easily readable by humans is not one. For that reason, IP addresses are often represented with decimal numbers in order to increase rapid user comprehension and readability. However, they can also be represented by hexadecimal numbers, in order to further shorten the address. For that reason, being able to translate an IP address into its hexadecimal form is a good skill to have.