What is the output of the following C program on a typical system where sizeof(float) is 4 bytes and sizeof(double) is 8 bytes? int main() { printf(" %d%d%d ", (int)sizeof(3.14f), (int)sizeof(3.14), (int)sizeof(3.141)); return 0; }

Introduction / Context:
This question checks understanding of literal types in C and the behaviour of sizeof when applied to floating point constants. It also requires careful reading of the printf format string.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• 3.14f is a float literal.
• 3.14 and 3.141 are double literals by default.
• On the target system, sizeof(float) is 4 and sizeof(double) is 8.
• The printf format string is " %d%d%d " and each sizeof result is cast to int.

Concept / Approach:
In C, a floating literal without a suffix (such as 3.14) has type double. Adding the suffix f or F changes its type to float. Therefore sizeof(3.14f) yields the size of float and sizeof(3.14) and sizeof(3.141) both yield the size of double. The printf call prints the three sizes back to back with no spaces between the %d conversions, except for a leading and trailing space from the literal string.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Evaluate sizeof(3.14f). Since 3.14f is a float literal, sizeof(float) is 4 bytes on the given system.Step 2: Evaluate sizeof(3.14). Since 3.14 is a double literal, sizeof(double) is 8 bytes.Step 3: Evaluate sizeof(3.141). This is also a double literal, so sizeof(double) is again 8 bytes.Step 4: The three integer values are 4, 8, and 8. The format " %d%d%d " prints a leading space, then 4, then 8, then 8, and finally a trailing space.Step 5: As text, this appears as space, 4, 8, 8, space, which we can summarize as " 488 ".

Verification / Alternative check:
If you compile and run the program on a typical 32 bit or 64 bit platform that uses IEEE single and double precision, the output will be exactly a space, then 4, 8, and 8 with no internal spaces, then a space. This confirms the analysis.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B incorrectly assumes all literals are float, which is not true without the f suffix.Option C incorrectly assumes all literals are double, ignoring the f suffix on 3.14f.Option D is wrong because sizeof can be applied to any expression, including floating constants.

Common Pitfalls:
Programmers sometimes forget that unsuffixed floating literals are double, not float, which can affect precision and size. Another pitfall is misreading printf strings and assuming there are spaces between all %d placeholders when there are not.

Final Answer:
The program prints 488 (space, then 4 8 8, then a trailing space).