How to convert a hexadecimal number to an octal number? How can I convert a hexadecimal number, for example 0x1A03 to its octal value?
I know that one way is to convert it to decimal and then convert it to octal
0x1A03 = 6659 = 0o15003



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*Is there a simple way to do it without the middle step (conversion to decimal or conversion to binary)?

*Why do we tend to convert it to Base10 every time?

A simpler way is to go through binary (base 2) instead of base 10.
0x1A03 = 0001 1010 0000 0011
Now group the bits in bunches of 3 starting from the right
0 001 101 000 000 011
This gives
0 1 5 0 0 3
Which is your octal representation.
