A binary adder contains two separate circuits. One generates the sum, while the second generates the _________?

A binary adder contains two separate circuits. One generates the sum, while the second generates the _________?

• A. decoded output
• B. carry-out
• C. overflow
• D. parity

Answer: (A)

Binary addition uses two separate paths: the bit that becomes the sum for the current position, and the carry that moves into the next higher position. The sum path outputs the XOR of the input bits (and the incoming carry for a full adder), giving the result bit for that place. The other path generates the carry-out—the value that will be added to the next significant bit. In a multi-bit adder, this carry-out from one stage feeds the carry-in of the next stage, letting the addition propagate across the whole word. Decoded output isn’t part of the adder’s normal function; it’s a decoding task, not the carry mechanism. Overflow is a separate condition that can be detected from the carry into and out of the most significant bit, not the dedicated carry signal itself. Parity is a separate property about the total number of 1s, not the carry between bit positions.

Binary addition uses two separate paths: the bit that becomes the sum for the current position, and the carry that moves into the next higher position. The sum path outputs the XOR of the input bits (and the incoming carry for a full adder), giving the result bit for that place. The other path generates the carry-out—the value that will be added to the next significant bit. In a multi-bit adder, this carry-out from one stage feeds the carry-in of the next stage, letting the addition propagate across the whole word.

Decoded output isn’t part of the adder’s normal function; it’s a decoding task, not the carry mechanism. Overflow is a separate condition that can be detected from the carry into and out of the most significant bit, not the dedicated carry signal itself. Parity is a separate property about the total number of 1s, not the carry between bit positions.