Deep Dive: G7B05
The correct answer is C: 8. The number of states a 3-bit binary counter has is 8. A 3-bit counter can represent 2³ = 8 different states (000, 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, 110, 111). For amateur radio operators, this is fundamental digital logic. Understanding this helps when working with counters.
Why Other Answers Are Wrong
Option A (3): Incorrect. 3 states is too few - a 3-bit counter has 2³ = 8 states, not 3. Calculation error. Option B (6): Incorrect. 6 states is too few - a 3-bit counter has 2³ = 8 states, not 6. Calculation error. Option D (16): Incorrect. 16 states is for a 4-bit counter (2⁴ = 16), not 3-bit. 3-bit has 2³ = 8 states.
Exam Tip
3-bit counter states = 8. Think '3'-bit = '2'³ = '8' states. A 3-bit counter can represent 2³ = 8 different states. Not 3, not 6, not 16 (4-bit) - just 8.
Memory Aid
3-bit counter states = 8. Think '3'-bit = '2'³ = '8' states. A 3-bit counter can represent 2³ = 8 different states. Fundamental binary counting: n bits = 2ⁿ states.
Real-World Example
A 3-bit binary counter: It can count from 000 to 111, representing 8 different states (0-7 in decimal). Each bit can be 0 or 1, so 2³ = 8 possible combinations. This is fundamental binary counting - n bits = 2ⁿ states.
Source & Coverage
Question Pool: 2023-2027 Question Pool
Subelement: G7B
Reference: 2023-2027 Question Pool · G7 - Practical Circuits
Key Concepts
Verified Content
Question from the official FCC General Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the G7B topic.