What is a primary limitation of using fixed-point representation for real…
2025
What is a primary limitation of using fixed-point representation for real number arithmetic in digital systems?
- A.
It requires floating-point hardware for all arithmetic operations.
- B.
It cannot represent negative integers.
- C.
It consumes excessive memory for small values.
- D.
It offers limited precision for fractional values due to fixed scaling.
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Correct answer: D
Fixed-point representation stores numbers with a fixed number of digits before and after the decimal (binary) point. Because the scaling factor is fixed, the system cannot dynamically adjust precision like floating-point representation.
the major limitation of fixed-point arithmetic is limited precision and range for fractional numbers.