1 Consider a computer that uses an arithmetic system that si

1. Consider a computer that uses an arithmetic system that simply stores numbers in
n-bit memory locations by dicing up the desired number range into 2n - 1 even-size chunks.
Explain why this is a Really Bad Idea.

2. What is the difference between absolute and relative error? Why might that mat-
ter|i.e., in what situation might it be important to use one of them (and not the other) to
quantify or describe the error in a measurement or a calculation? Explain your reasoning.

Solution

1.Here they considered that each number is stored in n bit memory location but the certain number range is divided into 2n-1 chunks.Then during the retrieval the number of bits considered while storing is not known.Hence the value may change during the retrieval hence this idea won\'t work out.

2.Absolute error has the units same as the quantifiers.

Relative error doesn\'t have any units.It is ratio hence there will not be any measurable units.

Relative error is the absolute error divided by its original value.

Hence relative error is used in measurement s and calculation.