3.1.2. Effects of Overflow Flags

Try these first

1. 1.

   What does the overflow flag indicate?

   Hint

   Think about the limits of bit representation.

2. 2.

   What is the difference between signed and unsigned arithmetic?

   Hint

   Recall what kinds of numbers you can represent.

3. 3.

   What does the overflow flag signify?

   • Valid output
   • Invalid output due to overflow
   • No significance

   Hint

   Consider what it means when you exceed limits in arithmetic.

4. 4.

   True or False: Adding a negative number to a positive number can cause an overflow.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Think about the expected outcome when one number is negative.

5. 5.

   You have two 4-bit signed integers: 0111 (7) and 0001 (1). Add them. Explain the flags set and why.

   Hint

   Recall how signed addition works and what it wraps to.

6. 6.

   Consider adding two signed integers: -5 (1011) and -6 (1010). What flags are affected and why?

   Hint

   Analyze negatives and their carry status.