This core component of a central processing unit handles all mathematical calculations and logical comparisons. It takes input operands and an operation code, executes the requested function, and outputs the result alongside status flags. Complex processors often contain multiple units dedicated to specific math tasks.
The new core design adds a second arithmetic logic unit to handle integer multiplications faster.
Also heard as
- ALU
Related terms
Central processing unit
The primary silicon processor responsible for fetching, decoding, and executing instructions in a computer system.
CPU
The central processing unit is the primary logic chip that executes instructions and coordinates system operations.
FPU
A floating-point unit is a specialized coprocessor designed to perform rapid math on non-integer numbers.