A computer system has 6 tape drives, with n process competing for them. Each…

1992

A computer system has 6 tape drives, with n process competing for them. Each process may need 3 tape drives. The maximum value of n for which the system is guaranteed to be deadlock free is

  1. A.

    2

  2. B.

    3

  3. C.

    4

  4. D.

    1

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Correct answer: A

To guarantee deadlock freedom, we use the formula n(k-1) + 1 <= m. Here m=6 resources and k=3 needed per process. Substituting values gives n(2) + 1 <= 6, which simplifies to 2n <= 5. The maximum integer n satisfying this is 2.

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