What is the maximum number of hosts for given network mask?

Question

A network on the Internet has a sub net mask of 255.255.240.0

What is the maximum number of hosts it can handle ? 

I am confused with the concept.

In given mask there are 12 zeros, so Maximum of 2 12 = 4096 hosts are possible.

Option 1 or Option 2 ? which is correct?

Option 1 : For each subnet 0000 0000 0000 and 1111 1111 1111 are not used practically. So we have to subtract 2 from each subnet. we have 16 subnets

Hence 4096 -16 x 2 = 4064

Option 2: We have to subtract 2 from total no of hosts

Hence 4096 -2 = 4094

Which is correct? 

Please explain

Comments

what is the subnet mask?

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sorry.. missed..

Corrected now!

Answer 1

class B subnet is 255.255.0.0

but given is 255.255.240.0, i.e, 4 bits are stolen from the host .

Hence , total subnets will be ==> 2⁴ - 2 = 14 and 12 host bits are left.

So,total hosts ==>  2¹² - 2 = 4096 - 2 = 4094 

Comments

YES I WANT TO CONFIRM THIS ANS ONLY....

AND LOOK HERE:

The address of a class B host is to be split into subnets with a 6-bit subnet number. What is the maximum number of subnets and the maximum number of hosts in each subnet?

WE HAVE 6 BIT SUBNET NUMBER AND NO SPECIFIC SUBNET MASK :CAN WE APPLY THE OPTION-1 LOGIC

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still, it is asking for a particular subnet and maximum hosts in that particular subnet.

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OK ..CAN U PLZ TELL ME WHAT IS THE WAY THE QUESTION CAN BE FRAMED FOR THAT TYPE OF ANS...EXCEPT VLSM