Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: digital clocks
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Time-keeping divides seconds, minutes, and hours into bases of 6, 10, and 12 (e.g., 60 seconds per minute, 60 minutes per hour, 12 hours per half-day). Digital clocks exploit counters whose moduli align with these bases. Recognizing why MOD-6 and MOD-12 show up in clock designs cements understanding of counter selection for system-level requirements.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Using a MOD-6 counter for the units-of-tens (0–5) and a MOD-10 for ones (0–9) yields a natural 00–59 range. Similarly, MOD-12 provides 1–12 hour cycles when combined with appropriate display/offset logic. These counters are thus staple components of digital clocks.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Examine common clock ICs or reference designs: seconds are obtained via divide-by-60 chains built from MOD-6 and MOD-10 counters; hours often via MOD-12.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Frequency counters generally use large binary/divide-by-N chains not specifically MOD-6/12 focused.
Multiplexed displays concern scanning, not count modulus choice.
Power meters do not inherently rely on MOD-6 or MOD-12 divisions.
Common Pitfalls:
Assuming one counter alone makes a clock; in practice, cascaded moduli (e.g., MOD-6 then MOD-10) are used to form 60-base divisions.
Final Answer:
digital clocks
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