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?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

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?

查看解析

登录即可查看完整答案

类似问题

Which of the following is a potential issue when computing mid = (low + high) // 2 for very large lists?

When might you encounter a problem with integer overflow? 什么时候可能会遇到整数溢出问题？

An overflow error takes place when:

Consider the following code: long y = 9223372036854775807L; y = y + 1; System.out.println(y); What number does the program print when compiled and run? Hint: think about the max value you just looked up in your previous answer.

(Continuing the add Ada function from the previous question.) If we compile and run an Ada version of this function, on a platform with 32-bit Integers, passing it the values of a = 2147483647 and b = 10, the program results in a CONSTRAINT_ERROR being raised. Why does this error occur:

In a consumer society, many adults channel creativity into buying things

Economic stress and unpredictable times have resulted in a booming industry for self-help products

People born without creativity never can develop it

更多留学生实用工具

考试浏览器助手

风格化写作助手

论文查重助手

文献引用助手

课堂转译助手

课堂笔记助手

Quiz搜索助手

学校历年真题

智能刷题助手

智能匹配练习

希望你的学习变得更简单