The computer’s RAM contains 163840 characters of machine words, which is 0.625MB. How many bits does one machine word contain?

To solve this problem, you need to know that 1 megabyte = 1024 kilobytes, 1 kilobyte = 1024 bytes, 1 byte = 8 bits.

1. Let’s translate 0.625 megabytes into bits:

0.625 megabytes = 0.625 * 1024 = 640 kilobytes.

640 kilobytes = 640 * 1024 = 655360 bytes.

655360 bytes = 655360 * 8 = 5242880 bits.

2. Determine how many bits one machine word contains (divide the total amount of memory in bits by the number of machine words:

5242880/163840 = 32 bits.

Answer: 32 bits.