Solving 16 KB Memory with 16 Bit Wordsize

  • Thread starter Thread starter WolfpackPride
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Bit Memory
AI Thread Summary
A 16 KB memory with a 16-bit word size can store a total of 8192 words. This is calculated by converting 16 KB into bytes (16 * 1024 = 16384 bytes), then into bits (16384 bytes * 8 bits = 131072 bits), and finally dividing by the word size (131072 bits / 16 bits = 8192 words). The confusion arose from the terminology and the difference between scientific notation and base-2 representation. The correct answer in base-2 is 2^13, not 2e13, which highlights the importance of precise notation in submissions. Understanding the conversion between bytes, bits, and words is crucial for solving similar memory-related problems.
WolfpackPride
Messages
15
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A 16 KB memory has a 16 bit wordsize. How many 16 bit words total can be stored in this memory?


Homework Equations



None given

The Attempt at a Solution



I tried many things. My answer were 2e12, 2e13, and 2e14. All of these were wrong. Please help soon (if you can. I only have until midnight and have been working on this for over a day. It's not that difficult but I just can't get it.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
A byte is generally 8bits.
KB (at least in computers) means 1024bytes
 
Yea, I remember that but I am still not sure how to find how many 16 bit words can be stored.
 
Wait a second...would I just multiply 1024 times 16? It's not neccesarily the math, but rather the terminology that is confusing me. 16KB = 1024bytes(16) = 16384 bytes but is that how many "16 bit words that can be stored" They're asking for the answer in terms of "words" which is really tripping me up. Any more guidance?
 
16KB is 16*1024 bytes, each byte is 8 bits so a 16bit word is two bytes.
So how many 2 bytes in 16*1024bytes.

Alternately 16KB is 16*1024*8 bits, so how many 16bits in this
 
When I do that, I get 131072. However, is this in terms of words?
 
Maybe a new tactic is needed here. This is akin to a question saying that you've got 144 eggs, how many dozen eggs is that?

Now, how many bits in 16 KB? If in that 16 KB of memory, you stored 16-bit variables, how many variables could you store?

Now convert that into base-2
 
MATLABdude said:
Maybe a new tactic is needed here. This is akin to a question saying that you've got 144 eggs, how many dozen eggs is that?

Now, how many bits in 16 KB? If in that 16 KB of memory, you stored 16-bit variables, how many variables could you store?

Now convert that into base-2

Bits in 16KB?

1KB=1024 bytes
1 byte = 8 bits

16(1024)=16384bytes
16384bytes*(8 bits / 1 byte) = 131072 bits

If in that 16 KB of memory, you stored 16-bit variables, how many variables could you store?

(131072 bits / 16 bits variables) = 8192

Now convert that into base-2

so the solution should be = 2e13 words (8192 words), right? In base 2: 100000000

I previously tried 2e13 and it said that was wrong, is this an error on my part (syntax etc) or is that not the answer? Should I try 10000000 (words) instead?

Thank You, I got it. What I had typed in was 2e13 waaay back when I was first submitting this. I meant 2^13. BIGG difference 8192 vs 2000000000...
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

Back
Top