Which component performs arithmetic/mathematical and logical operations?

Which component performs arithmetic/mathematical and logical operations?

• A. CPU or control unit
• B. Hard disk
• C. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
• D. RAM

Answer: (C)

The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) handles arithmetic and logical operations. It performs calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and carries out logical tasks such as comparisons and bitwise operations (AND, OR, NOT) on binary data. When a program needs a computation, the CPU coordinates through the control unit to send data to the ALU, which does the math and returns the result to be stored or used further. RAM is for temporary storage of data and instructions; it doesn’t perform calculations. A hard disk stores long-term data, but it isn’t involved in real-time arithmetic or logic. The control unit orchestrates fetching, decoding, and directing operations, but the actual arithmetic and logic are done by the ALU.

The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) handles arithmetic and logical operations. It performs calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, and carries out logical tasks such as comparisons and bitwise operations (AND, OR, NOT) on binary data. When a program needs a computation, the CPU coordinates through the control unit to send data to the ALU, which does the math and returns the result to be stored or used further.

RAM is for temporary storage of data and instructions; it doesn’t perform calculations. A hard disk stores long-term data, but it isn’t involved in real-time arithmetic or logic. The control unit orchestrates fetching, decoding, and directing operations, but the actual arithmetic and logic are done by the ALU.