The maximum number of processes that can be in $Ready$ state for a computer system with $n$ CPUs is

Select one answerSingle correct

Pick an option to check

Solution

Step-by-step verified solution

Official answer: D) Independent of n

Processes, Threads and IPC

The number of CPUs ( $n$ ) determines the maximum number of processes that can simultaneously be in the Running state, which is at most $n$ .

In contrast, the Ready state consists of all processes residing in the ready queue that are waiting to be allocated a CPU. The capacity of the ready queue depends on system resources such as main memory and operating system configuration, not on the number of processors $n$ .

Therefore, the maximum number of processes that can be in the *Ready* state is Independent of $n$ (Option D).

Try the question first, then check your work.

Think the official key or this write-up is wrong?

Report error or challenge

Examiner trap

The misconception this question tests

This Processes, Threads and IPC previous year question is Q1 of the GATE CSE 2015 Set 3 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on Processes, Threads and IPC in Operating Systems, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.

Free diagnostic

Where do you stand for GATE?

Take the 20-minute diagnostic: the 3 topics that cost you the most marks, and a rank range. Or sit 5 related Processes, Threads and IPC PYQs now with no account.

One GATE CSE PYQ every morning

An official question by email at 7 AM IST, with a link to its verified solution. Unsubscribe in one click.

Processes, Threads and IPC in GATE CSE

Processes, Threads and IPC has 15 GATE CSE PYQs across 13 papers from 2011 to 2026. 7 of them are 1-mark MCQs like this one, and it is the only one in GATE CSE 2015 Set 3.

How GATE tests Processes, Threads and IPC

More from GATE CSE 2015 Set 3

Independent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.