Question

Suppose that a system uses 32-bit memory words and its memory is built from 16 1M × 16 RAM chips. How large, in words, is the memory on this system?

Answer 1

Memory of the system is
`2^(23)` .

Step-by-step explanation:

Computer programs are usually written in Byte. That is to say we expressing our megabyte in byte.

NOTE : 1 Megabyte (MB) =
`2^(20)` in Byte

Mathematically written as : 1 MB=
`2^(20)`

16 MB=X

Cross multiplying the above to make X the subject of the formula.

X =
`(16 x 2^(20) )/(1)` ………………i

Converting 16 to factor of two

We having = 16 =
`2^(4)`

Therefore equation I becomes = x =
`(2^(4) x 2^(20) )/(1)`

Applying multiplication law of indices

X = =
`2^(4)` +
`2^(20)` =
`2^(24)` ……………………………..ii

To convert equation ii to the number of words we divide by 2

Therefore number of words :
`(2^(24) )/(2)`

applying the law of indices
`x^(a)` ÷
`x^(b)` =
`x^(a-b)`

Number of words is equal to =
`2^(24-1)` =
`2^(23)`

Thank you.