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Arithmetic operations include addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Numbers are represented in binary. The bit number of an ALU determines the size of the numbers it can handle in calculations. For example, an 8-bit ALU can use numbers up to 255., and a 16-bit ALU can handle numbers up to 65,535.

The fastest way an ALU can perform an operation is by single-clock calculation, where it performs the calculation in a single step, or one pulse of the computer's internal clock.

Doing a single-clock calculation requires very complex ALU, which is very expensive for most calculations.

A calculation pipeline is when an ALU calculates using a multi-step process. This takes several times longer than a single-clock calculation, but each step is much simpler to perform and the ALU required is cheaper.

The Arithmetic Logic Unit, or ALU, performs operations such as arithmetic and comparison.

Different ALUs can perform operations in several ways. Faster operations require more expensive ALUs.

Arithmetic Logic Unit

The cheapest ALUs are unable to perform complex calculations by themselves, requiring you to write your own algorithms that the ALU can follow. Algorithms are like simple step-by-step instructions that even the worst ALU can follow, but this process is obviously the slowest since the computer's user has to actually do some work in order for the ALU to calculate.

Iterative calculation is like a calculation pipeline, in that the calculation takes several steps, but in iterative calculation the ALU relies on a complex control unit with a microcode, or built-in instructions, to perform its task. Since the ALU does not do all the work by itself, it can be even cheaper, but since it has to communicate with the control unit to obtain the microcode the calculation is slower.

Comparison operations involve comparing data to other data, and determining whether the data are equal to each other, or which is larger.

When the ALU compares the data, an action can be performed depending on the result of the comparison.

Aaron Chiang

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