Algorithms | Bit Algorithms | Question 3

What does the following C expression do?

 x = x & (x-1) 

(A) Sets all bits as 1
(B) Makes x equals to 0
(C) Turns of the rightmost set bit
(D) Turns of the leftmost set bit


Answer: (C)

Explanation: The expression simply turns off the rightmost set bit. For example, if x = 14 (1110), x – 1 = 13 (1101) it returns resultant as (1100) i.e, 12 .

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