Which unit within the CPU performs arithmetic and logical operations?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks: Which unit within the CPU performs arithmetic and logical operations?

First, we recognize that within a typical CPU architecture, several major components exist, each with distinct responsibilities. The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) is the component specifically designed to perform arithmetic operations (such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in some architectures) and logical operations (such as AND, OR, NOT, XOR).

In contrast, other internal units handle different roles:
- The Control Unit (CU) coordinates the activities of the CPU, decoding instructions and directing data flow but does not itself perform arithmetic or logical computations.
- Registers are small, fast storage locations that hold operands, instructions, and intermediate results used by the ALU and other components; they don’t execute operations by themselves.
- Floating Point Unit (FPU), where present, handles floating-point arithmetic, which is a specialized subset of arithmetic operations for non-integer numbers; this is separate from the core ALU in many designs, though some architectures integrate floating-point capabilities.

Given the standard definitions, the unit responsible for performing arithmetic and logical operations is the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU).

Note: The prompt’s provided answer field shows 'a. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)'. Since the option list is empty in the given data, there are no additional choices to compare here.

In summary, the ALU is the CPU component that carries out the essential arithmetic and logical computations central to executing instructions.

Which unit within the CPU performs arithmetic and logical operations?

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