Parity system basics Parity systems are defined as either ________ or ________, and they add an extra ________ to the digital information being transmitted.

Introduction / Context:
Parity is a simple and widely used error-detection technique. Depending on whether the system uses odd or even parity, one extra bit is appended to ensure the total number of 1s in a word is odd or even, respectively.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Digital data words are sequences of bits.
• We add exactly one parity bit per word.
• Two common schemes: odd parity and even parity.

Concept / Approach:
In even parity, the parity bit is chosen so that data+parity contains an even count of 1s. In odd parity, it is chosen so the count is odd. This single-bit redundancy allows detection of all single-bit errors within a word (and some multi-bit patterns depending on the error model).

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
After adding parity, recount the ones. For even parity, the total must be even; for odd parity, total must be odd. Any single-bit flip will toggle the total's parity and thus be detected.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• positive, negative, byte: Parity is not described by polarities and does not add a whole byte.
• upper, lower, digit: Not relevant terminology for parity.
• on, off, decimal: Mixed and incorrect concepts unrelated to parity bits.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing parity with checksums or CRCs, or believing parity can correct (it only detects) single-bit errors.

Final Answer:
odd, even, bit