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The exponent of a floating-point number is represented in excess-N code so that:

1. The dynamic range is large.
2. The precision is high.
3. The smallest number is represented by all zeros.
4. Overflow is avoided.

Ans : C) The smallest number is represented by all zeros.

In computer system, a floating-point number is represented as S E M, i.e. using Sign bit, Exponent bits and Mantissa bits.

The exponent can be a positive as well as a negative number. So to represent negative number we can use 1's complement or 2's complement. Better choice would be 2's complement.

If we use 2's complement system to represent exponent, then problem will arise while comparing 2 floating point numbers. For example, if exponent of the 2 numbers are negative then for comparing we will have to convert them into positive number.

So to avoid this extra work, excess-N code is used so that all exponent can be represented in positive numbers, starting with 0.
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but how does this explanation make option (C) correct?

If we eliminate the options then we are left with option (C).
And (C) is the correct answer because to represent the smallest number we just only need to put all 0's in the exponent field, so to get the actual exponent we need to subtract N from 0 only.

but if we use 2's complement' 1's complement/ sign magnitude we have that convert that the -ve exponent, while in Excess-N we just need to put all exponent bits as 0's.

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