Question

What method does the int datatype use for storing negative numbers?

(a) 1’s Complement

(b) 2’s Complement

(c) 3’s Complement

(d) 4’s Complement

This question was posed to me during a job interview.

The above asked question is from Datatypes topic in chapter Arduino Programming of Arduino

Answer 1

The correct answer is (b) 2’s Complement

To elaborate: The int datatype stores 16 bits of data. The way it handles negative numbers is by a method called the 2’s complement wherein a sign bit is added to the binary equivalent of the number and then all the bits are inverted and then added by one.