This question was asked inGPSC AE (Electrical) Class-2 R&B Department Paper 2025 – Series MQuestion 47 of 179 published · Gujarat Public Service CommissionOpen paper
Q156EasyCombinational Circuits

How many inputs are required for a 1-of-10 BCD decoder?

Answer & step-by-step solution
Correct answer: A. 4
Quick explanation

A BCD digit represents decimal 0–9 using four binary bits (8421 code). Therefore a 1-of-10 BCD decoder needs 4 input lines and produces ten decoded output lines.

BCD digit = 4 bits 2⁴ = 16 possible codes; 10 are valid decimal digits

Concept & Reasoning

A decoder with n binary inputs can represent up to 2^n input combinations. Four bits provide 16 combinations, of which the ten combinations 0000 through 1001 are valid BCD digits. The remaining six are invalid BCD codes. Thus the decoder still requires four input bits.

How to Solve It in the Exam

BCD = 8421 = four input bits.

Important Exam Point

Do not confuse number of outputs (10) with number of inputs (4).

Quick Trick

BCD = 8421 = four input bits.

Common Mistake

Answering 10 because it is a 1-of-10 decoder.

Solution diagram – How many inputs are required for a 1-of-10 BCD decoder?
Exam tipDo not confuse number of outputs (10) with number of inputs (4).
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