When two n-bit binary numbers are added the sum will contain at the most, ISRO…

2017

When two n-bit binary numbers are added the sum will contain at the most, ISRO 2017

  1. A.

    n bits

  2. B.

    (n + 3) bits

  3. C.

    (n + 2) bits

  4. D.

    (n + 1) bits

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Correct answer: D

When adding two n-bit binary numbers, the maximum value for each is 2^n - 1. The sum of two such numbers is (2^n - 1) + (2^n - 1) = 2^{n+1} - 2. This value requires n + 1 bits to represent in binary because the addition can produce a carry out from the most significant bit. Thus, the sum contains at most n + 1 bits.

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