Question

RAM consists of 16GB, there are 100 processes, each process is on an average of 100MB each. Will virtual RAM be necessary?

• A. No, because the total memory required (approx. 10 GB) is less than the available 16 GB physical RAM.
• B. Yes, because the OS reserves 10GB by default, leaving insufficient space.
• C. Wrong Option 2: Yes, because 100 processes exceed the multitasking thread limit of physical RAM.
• D. No, because virtual RAM is exclusively used for hard disk storage space, not running processes.

Hint:

Virtual memory acts as backup storage when RAM becomes insufficient. If required memory is already less than available RAM, virtual memory need not be actively used.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: List what each process needs.
There are $100$ processes, and each needs about $100$ MB of memory on average.
Step 2: Find the total demand.
Multiplying, the combined demand is \[ 100\times 100=10000 \text{ MB} \]
Step 3: Convert to gigabytes.
Since $1024$ MB is roughly $1$ GB, $10000$ MB is about $10$ GB of memory needed.
Step 4: Compare with the physical RAM.
The machine has $16$ GB of physical RAM, which is more than the $10$ GB required.
Step 5: Decide on virtual memory.
Virtual RAM is mainly needed when physical RAM cannot hold the active processes. Here $10$ GB fits comfortably inside $16$ GB.
Step 6: State the conclusion.
So virtual RAM is not necessary, because the roughly $10$ GB required is less than the available $16$ GB of physical RAM.
\[ \boxed{\text{No, because the total memory required (approx. 10 GB) is less than the available 16 GB physical RAM.}} \]