A computer uses 8 digit mantissa and 2 digit exponent. If a = 0.052 and b = 28E + 11 then b + a – b will
(A) result in an overflow error
(B) result in an underflow error
(C) be 0
(D) be 5.28 E + 11


Answer: (C)

Explanation:

Since the computer uses 8 digit mantissa
and 2 digit exponent:

a = 0.052, mantissa = 0.52, exponent = −1.
b = 28E+11, mantissa = 0.28, exponent = 13.

To add b+a, Small exponent number, a is shifted
to 13-(-1) = 14 places to right side
a = 0.0000000000000052E+13

Since, computer uses only 8 digit mantissa,
digits beyond 8th position will be discarded.
So a = 0.00000000E+13 = 0.0 E+13

b + a = (0.28E + 13) + (0.0E + 13 )
      = 0.28E + 13
Then b + a - b = (0.28E + 13) - (0.28E + 13)
               = 0

So, option (C) is correct.

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  • Last Updated : 20 Nov, 2018

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