Which processor unit performs arithmetic and logic operations such as AND, OR, and XOR?

Which processor unit performs arithmetic and logic operations such as AND, OR, and XOR?

• A. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• B. Control Unit
• C. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
• D. Cache

Answer: (C)

Arithmetic and logic operations are performed by the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU). The ALU is the part of the processor that carries out fundamental computations and bitwise decisions. It takes binary operands from registers (and sometimes from memory via the data path) and executes operations such as addition, subtraction, and logical operations like AND, OR, and XOR. The result is then stored back as directed by the control signals. The Control Unit, by contrast, fetches and decodes instructions and coordinates data flow and timing; it doesn’t do calculations itself. The Cache is a fast storage area for frequently used data and does not perform arithmetic or logic. The CPU is the whole processor, which includes the ALU and control logic, but the unit that actually does the calculations and logic operations is the ALU.

Arithmetic and logic operations are performed by the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU). The ALU is the part of the processor that carries out fundamental computations and bitwise decisions. It takes binary operands from registers (and sometimes from memory via the data path) and executes operations such as addition, subtraction, and logical operations like AND, OR, and XOR. The result is then stored back as directed by the control signals.

The Control Unit, by contrast, fetches and decodes instructions and coordinates data flow and timing; it doesn’t do calculations itself. The Cache is a fast storage area for frequently used data and does not perform arithmetic or logic. The CPU is the whole processor, which includes the ALU and control logic, but the unit that actually does the calculations and logic operations is the ALU.