A 500 kbyte memory is managed using variable memory partitions and compaction…
2021
A 500 kbyte memory is managed using variable memory partitions and compaction is allowed. It is currently using 2 partitions of sizes 100 kbytes and 130 kbytes respectively. The smallest allocation request in kbytes that could be denied is _____.
- A.
250
- B.
270
- C.
271
- D.
170
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Correct answer: C
First, calculate the total used memory by adding the partition sizes: 100 KB + 130 KB = 230 KB. Next, determine the available free space by subtracting used memory from total memory: 500 KB - 230 KB = 270 KB. Since compaction is allowed, the free space can be consolidated into a single contiguous block of 270 KB. Therefore, any allocation request up to 270 KB can be satisfied. The smallest request that cannot be accommodated is one byte larger than the available space, which is 271 KB.