A computer has 2048 MB of RAM. How many GB of RAM does the computer have?
Show your working.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To convert megabytes (MB) to gigabytes (GB), we use the relationship that 1 GB is equal to 1024 MB. Thus, to find out how many gigabytes are in 2048 MB, we can perform the following calculation:
[
\text{GB} = \frac{\text{MB}}{1024}
]
Substituting in the given value:
[
\text{GB} = \frac{2048 \text{ MB}}{1024} = 2 \text{ GB}
]
Explanation
The process of converting between megabytes and gigabytes is rooted in the binary nature of computer memory. In computing, data is typically measured in powers of 2 due to the binary system used by computers. The fundamental conversions are as follows:
- 1 Kilobyte (KB) = 1024 Bytes
- 1 Megabyte (MB) = 1024 KB
- 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 1024 MB
Thus, when converting from a larger unit to a smaller one, we multiply by 1024, and when converting from a smaller unit to a larger one, we divide by 1024.
In our case, we started with 2048 MB. To find out how many gigabytes that equates to, we divided 2048 by 1024. This division simplifies the conversion process and gives us the direct equivalent in GB.
The answer we arrived at—2 GB—indicates that the computer in question has a relatively modest amount of RAM by today’s standards. In modern computing environments, especially for tasks such as gaming, video editing, or running multiple applications simultaneously, a higher amount of RAM (such as 8 GB, 16 GB, or more) is often preferred. However, 2 GB might still suffice for basic tasks such as browsing the web or running lightweight applications. Understanding these conversions is crucial for evaluating hardware specifications and ensuring that the system meets the requirements for intended applications.