Systems ArchitectureKey Facts

How the ALU Works with Other Components

Part of Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)GCSE Computer Science

This key facts covers How the ALU Works with Other Components within Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) for GCSE Computer Science. Revise Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) in Systems Architecture for GCSE Computer Science with 15 exam-style questions and 12 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 5 of 6 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 5 of 6

Practice

15 questions

Recall

12 flashcards

How the ALU Works with Other Components

  • Gets data from: Accumulator (ACC) and registers/memory
  • Controlled by: Control Unit (tells ALU which operation to perform)
  • Stores results in: Accumulator (ACC) - results overwrite previous ACC value
  • When it operates: During the EXECUTE stage of the FDE cycle

Example flow: Instruction "ADD 5" → Control Unit tells ALU "perform addition" → ALU takes current ACC value (8), adds 5 → Result (13) goes back to ACC

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Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU). That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

What does ALU stand for?

  • A. Arithmetic Logic Unit
  • B. Automatic Load Utility
  • C. Address Logic Unit
  • D. Arithmetic Load Unit
1 markfoundation

Explain how the role of the ALU differs from the role of the Control Unit (CU).

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What does ALU stand for?
Arithmetic Logic Unit
Where are ALU results stored?
Accumulator (ACC)

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