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What is the binary value of the following terms: Word and Nibble

User Riofly
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Final answer:

A Word in computing varies in size depending on the processor's architecture, but generally consists of multiple bits that the processor handles as a unit. A Nibble is always 4 bits and represents half of a byte. Both terms are essential in understanding data sizes and representation in computer systems.

Step-by-step explanation:

Understanding Binary Values in Computing Terms

In computing, the terms Word and Nibble refer to specific sizes of binary data. A Word is a term that usually means the natural unit of data used by a particular processor design. A processor might have a word size of 16 bits, 32 bits, or 64 bits, and this size can vary between processor families. The size of a word defines how many bits are processed together in the processor's machine language instructions.

A Nibble, on the other hand, always consists of 4 bits. Hence, the binary value of a nibble can be any 4-bit sequence, such as 1010 or 0111. A nibble is exactly half of a byte (which is 8 bits). In a byte, there are two nibbles; the first nibble is called the high nibble, and the second is known as the low nibble. Having a firm grasp of these concepts is crucial for understanding computer architecture and data representation.

Given that the size of a word depends on the processor's architecture, there is no single binary value for a Word; the value would be and would vary greatly. However, the binary value of a nibble is clearly defined as a combination of four bits.

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