Which component of a computer is described as performing the actual computation or work?

Which component of a computer is described as performing the actual computation or work?

• A. Storage
• B. Memory
• C. CPU
• D. Input device

Answer: (C)

The component that does the actual computation is the CPU. It carries out instructions, performs arithmetic and logic operations, and controls data flow by fetching, decoding, and executing instructions. Memory acts as a fast workspace for data and instructions the CPU is currently using, but it doesn’t perform calculations itself. Storage holds data long-term, and input devices bring data into the system. So the CPU is the part that executes the work and makes programs run.