Introduction to Computer Engineering MCQs (Part-9)
What is the smallest unit of data in a computer?
A Kilobyte
B Bit
C Word
D Byte
A bit (binary digit) is the smallest unit of data in a computer, represented as either 0 or 1. Bits are the building blocks for all data processed by a computer system, including numbers, letters, and instructions.
What is the binary equivalent of the decimal number 5?
A 110
B 111
C 100
D 101
The binary equivalent of 5 in decimal is 101. In binary, each digit represents a power of 2. Starting from the right, 2² + 2⁰ equals 5, which gives the binary representation 101.
What does the term “two’s complement” refer to in computing?
A Negative number encoding
B Hexadecimal system
C Positive number encoding
D Binary subtraction method
Two’s complement is a method used to represent negative numbers in binary. It allows for easy addition and subtraction of signed integers by inverting the bits and adding one to the result.
Which of the following number systems is used by computers internally to process data?
A Octal
B Hexadecimal
C Binary
D Decimal
Computers use the binary number system (base 2) to process data, as it operates with two states (0 and 1), which correspond to the electrical states of “off” and “on” in a computer’s circuits.
What is the primary purpose of Boolean algebra in computing?
A Manage memory
B Design logic circuits
C Solve arithmetic problems
D Store data
Boolean algebra is used in computing to design logic circuits. It provides a mathematical framework for operations like AND, OR, and NOT, which are essential for controlling the flow of data in digital circuits and computer systems.
Which of the following is an example of a Boolean operation?
A Subtraction
B Addition
C Multiplication
D AND
The AND operation is one of the fundamental Boolean operations. It outputs true (1) only when both inputs are true (1). It is used extensively in digital logic to build decision making circuits in computers.
What is the decimal equivalent of the binary number 1101?
A 15
B 10
C 13
D 12
The binary number 1101 can be converted to decimal by summing the powers of 2 that correspond to the “1” bits: 2³ + 2² + 2⁰ = 8 + 4 + 1 = 13 in decimal.
Which number system is used for representing data in digital electronics?
A Binary
B Octal
C Hexadecimal
D Decimal
The binary number system is used in digital electronics for data representation because it uses only two states (0 and 1), which directly correspond to the on/off states of transistors in digital circuits.
What is the role of a “logic gate” in a computer?
A Execute programs
B Control data flow
C Store data
D Perform calculations
Logic gates are fundamental building blocks in digital circuits. They perform operations on binary inputs (using Boolean algebra) to control the flow of data within a computer, facilitating operations like AND, OR, and NOT.
Which Boolean expression represents the OR operation?
A A’ + B’
B A’ * B’
C A + B
D A * B
The OR operation in Boolean algebra is represented as A + B, which outputs true (1) if either A or B (or both) are true. This operation is crucial in digital circuits for combining multiple conditions.
What is the purpose of using hexadecimal in computing?
A To represent binary data more compactly
B For data encryption
C For complex calculations
D To convert decimal to binary
Hexadecimal is used in computing to represent binary data more compactly. Each hexadecimal digit corresponds to four binary digits, making it easier to read and write large binary values in a more concise format.
What is the process of converting a binary number to decimal called?
A Summation
B Conversion
C Multiplication
D Subtraction
The process of converting a binary number to decimal involves multiplying each binary digit by its corresponding power of 2 and summing the results. This is called binary to decimal conversion.
Which of the following is true about the binary number system?
A It represents data as decimal values
B It is rarely used in computing
C It uses 10 symbols
D It is based on two symbols: 0 and 1
The binary number system uses only two symbols, 0 and 1, to represent data. These two values correspond to the two electrical states in digital circuits, making it the foundation of all modern computing.
What is a primary advantage of using Boolean algebra in computer design?
A It simplifies circuit design
B It increases processing speed
C It enhances data storage
D It reduces memory usage
Boolean algebra simplifies the design of digital circuits by providing a mathematical method for combining logical operations. It helps reduce the complexity of circuits, improving the efficiency of computer systems and hardware.
What is the primary function of the NOT operator in Boolean algebra?
A Negates the input
B Compares two inputs
C Adds two values
D Combines two inputs
The NOT operator in Boolean algebra negates the input. If the input is true (1), the output will be false (0), and vice versa. It is a basic operation used to invert binary values in digital systems.