It can be difficult to see how other number systems (such as binary and hexadecimal) work since they have a different amount of numerals than the ten numerals of decimal. But imagine that you are counting in these number systems using an old-fashioned analog odometer that has a different amount of numerals for each digit.

The following three odometers always show the same number, but they are written out differently in different number systems:

Source code for Gavin Brock's JavaScript odometers. Source code for this binary/decimal/hexadecimal demo all on a single page.