Question: 1111111111111111 = FFFF
Each F in this scenario is clearly only representing 4 bits.

Would 1 F not suffice in this situation?

Forgive me if this is a bit of a simpleton question, but it is just really bothering me. Thank you!

Answer: 
`F` = 15, `FF` = 255.

It's like asking "if 1 = one, why do we need 11 to mean *eleven*?"
> 
> If F is equal to 16...
> 
> 
> 

That is incorrect. Each `f` is four bits, so `f` hexadecimal is `15` decimal.