What can happen when a calculated value is too large to be represented by the available number of bits in a fixed-size data type?

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Consider the question: What can happen when a calculated value is too large to be represented by the available number of bits in a fixed-size data type?
Option a. Overflow: This is the correct concept. When the result exceeds the maximum value the fixed-size representation can store, the value cannot be represented precisely, often wrapping around or triggering an error depending on the system.
Option b. Truncation: This describes the loss of precision by cutting off least significant bits, typically when the value is reduced to fit a certain width, but it is not specifically about the value being too large for the format; it’s about reducing precision, not exceeding the maximum representable value.
Option c. Rounding: Rounding adjusts a value to the nearest representable value within the given precision. It resolves precision issues but does not inherently address an overflow condition where the magnitude is too big to fit.
Option d. Underflow: Underflow occurs when a value is too small in magnitude to be represented (often approaching zero in floating-point systems), not when it is too large.
In summary, the scenario described—when a calculated value cannot be represented because it is larger than the fixed-size type can hold—maps to overflow, whereas the other options describe different kinds of representation or precision issues that do not capture the overflow condition.

System Software and Computing Concepts (032025-NYY) Tutorial 2: Data Representation

What can happen when a calculated value is too large to be represented by the available number of bits in a fixed-size data type?

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