Question

A CPU has a 16-bit program counter. This
means that the CPU can address:
A 16K memory locations.
B 32K memory locations.
C 64K memory locations.
D 256K memory locations

Answer 1

We know that:

If CPU has a $n\text{-bit}$ program counter then the CPU can address upto $2^n$ byte-addressable memory.

Since here the value of $n$ is $16$ so CPU can address upto $2^{16} \,\, \text{or} \,\, 65536$ byte-aadressable memory.

Now:

$\because 1024 \text{ bytes } = 1 \text{ KB } \\$

$\therefore 65536 \text{ bytes } = \dfrac{65536}{1024} \text{ KB} \\$

$\hspace{1 cm} \hspace{1 cm} \,\,\,\, \, = 64 \, \text{KB}$

Hence:

If CPU has a $16 \text{-bit}$ program counter then the CPU can address upto $64 \text{ KB}$ memory locations.

So, option$\color{blue}{\text{(C)}}$ is correct.