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The Super Calculator
The Super Calculator
Imagine a calculator that can not only do maths (5+3, 10×2) but can also make decisions ("Is 7 greater than 5?", "Are both conditions true?"). That's the Arithmetic Logic Unit. Every time your computer adds numbers in a spreadsheet, checks if a password is correct, or decides whether to run an IF statement - the ALU is doing the work. It's called the "calculator of the CPU" but it's so much more powerful than that!
What does ALU stand for?: Arithmetic Logic Unit
Computer Science glossary
- What does ALU stand for?
- Arithmetic Logic Unit
Deep Dive: Why Logic Operations Matter
Arithmetic is only half the story. The "L" in ALU stands for Logic, and this is what makes computers smart! Logic operations allow computers to make decisions: "IF password is correct AND user has permission THEN allow access." Without logic operations, computers would just be expensive calculators!
Earn the mark scheme marks
Exam Tips - The ALU
Always mention BOTH arithmetic AND logic:
- When asked "What does the ALU do?" → "Performs arithmetic AND logic operations"
- Don't just say "does calculations" - you'll lose marks!
- It's called Arithmetic Logic Unit - both words matter
Give specific examples:
- Arithmetic: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
- Logic: AND, OR, NOT operations
- Comparisons: equals, greater than, less than
Remember where results go:
- ALU results are stored in the Accumulator (ACC)
- This happens during the EXECUTE stage
- The result overwrites the previous ACC value
Now try it yourself
Quiz · Question 1 of 15
What does ALU stand for?
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