Question

A video-streaming Web site uses 32-bit integers to count the number of times each video has been played. In anticipation of some videos being played more times than can be represented with 32 bits, the Web site is planning to change to 64-bit integers for the counter. Which of the following best describes the result of using 64-bit integers instead of 32-bit integers?
a) 2 times as many values can be represented. b) 32 times as many values can be represented c) 2^32 times as many values can be represented. d) 32^2 times as many values can be represented.

Answer 1

Answer:

c) 2^32 times as many values can be represented.

Explanation:

It's funny, this problem comes from a real-life situation, except it wasn't really foreseen :-)  And we will encounter a similar problem in less than 20 years.

The difference in terms of storage capacity from 32-bit integers and 64-bits integers is huge.

A 32-bit integer can store (signed) numbers up to 2,147,483,647. (so over 2 BILLIONS)

A 64-bit integer can store (signed) numbers up to 9,223,372,036,854,775,807 (9 BILLIONS of BILLONS)