250+ TOP MCQs on Counter ICs and Answers

Digital Electronics/Circuits Multiple Choice Questions on “Counter ICs”.

1. What is the difference between a 7490 and a 7493?
A. 7490 is a MOD-10, 7493 is a MOD-16
B. 7490 is a MOD-16, 7493 is a MOD-10
C. 7490 is a MOD-12, 7493 is a MOD-16
D. 7490 is a MOD-10, 7493 is a MOD-12
Answer: A
Clarification: The difference between a 7490 and a 7493 is that 7490 is a MOD-10, 7493 is a MOD-16 counter. Thus, 7490 traverses 10 states and 7493 traverses 16 states.

2. How many different states does a 2-bit asynchronous counter have?
A. 1
B. 4
C. 2
D. 8
Answer: B
Clarification: For a n-bit counter, total number of states = 2n. Thus, for 2-bit counter, total number of states = 22 = 4.

3. A 12 MHz clock frequency is applied to a cascaded counter containing a modulus-5 counter, a modulus-8 counter, and a modulus-10 counter. The lowest output frequency possible is ________
A. 10 kHz
B. 20 kHz
C. 30 kHz
D. 60 kHz
Answer: C
Clarification: Cascaded counter containing a modulus-5 counter, a modulus-8 counter, and a modulus-10 counter. So, 5*8*10=400. Applied clock frequency = 12 MHz; hence, the lowest output frequency possible is 12MHz/400=30 kHz.

4. Which one is a 4-bit binary ripple counter?
A. IC 7493
B. IC 7490
C. IC 7491
D. IC 7492
Answer: B
Clarification: IC 7493 is a 4-bit binary ripple counter. It is a MOD-16 counter with 24 = 16 states.

5. IC 7493 consist of ____________
A. 4 S-R flip-flop
B. 4 J-K flip-flop
C. 4 master-slave flip-flop
D. 4 D flip-flop
Answer: C
Clarification: IC 7493 consist of 4 J-K master-slave flip-flop. It is a MOD-16 counter with 24 = 16 states.
digital-circuits-questions-answers-counter-ics-q5

6. A reset input is used in IC 7493, why?
A. For increment of bit by 1
B. For decrement of bit by 1
C. For reset the counter
D. For setting the counter
Answer: C
Clarification: The reset inputs are used to reset the counter to 0000.

7. In a 4-bit binary ripple counter, four master-slave flip-flops are internally connected to provide a ________ bit counter.
A. Divide-by-2 & divide-by-6
B. Divide-by-6 & divide-by-8
C. Divide-by-2 & divide-by-8
D. Divide-by-4 & divide-by-8
Answer: C
Clarification: In a 4-bit binary ripple counter, four master-slave flip-flops are internally connected to provide a Divide-by-2 & divide-by-8 bit counter.
digital-circuits-questions-answers-counter-ics-q7

8. Which of the following is a decade counter?
A. IC 7493
B. IC 7490
C. IC 7491
D. IC 7492
Answer: B
Clarification: IC 7490 is called as decade counter or MOD-10. Thus, it has 10 states.

9. In a 4-bit decade counter, four master-slave flip-flops are internally connected to provide a ________ bit counter.
A. Divide-by-2 & divide-by-6
B. Divide-by-6 & divide-by-8
C. Divide-by-2 & divide-by-5
D. Divide-by-4 & divide-by-8
Answer: C
Clarification: In a decade counter, four master-slave flip-flops are internally connected to provide a Divide-by-2 & divide-by-5 bit counter.

10. Reset inputs are used in IC 7490, why?
A. For increment of bit by 1
B. For decrement of bit by 1
C. For reset the counter
D. For setting the counter
Answer: C
Clarification: The reset inputs are used to reset the counter to 0000.

11. The set inputs are used in a decade counter, why?
A. To set the counter to 0011
B. To set the counter to 1000
C. To set the counter to 1001
D. To set the counter to 0001
Answer: C
Clarification: The set inputs are used in a decade counter to set the counter to 1001 which is 9 in decimal, as a decade counter counts from 0 to 9.

12. List which pins need to be connected together on a 7493 to make a MOD-12 counter.
A. 12 to 1, 11 to 3, 9 to 2
B. 12 to 1, 11 to 3, 12 to 2
C. 12 to 1, 11 to 3, 8 to 2
D. 12 to 1, 11 to 3, 1 to 2
Answer: C
Clarification: IC-7493 is a MOD-16 counter. So maximum, it can have 16 states. A MOD-12 counter will have 12-states. Thus, it is clear from the diagram shown below: 12 & 1 are clear pins, 11 & 3 are clock pins, 8 & 2 are input for 7493 FF.
digital-circuits-questions-answers-counter-ics-q12

13. Ripple counter IC has _____________
A. 10 pins
B. 11 pins
C. 12 pins
D. 14 pins
Answer: D
Clarification: A ripple counter is of 4-bit and has 4 J-K flip-flops. Ripple counter IC has 14 pins.
digital-circuits-questions-answers-counter-ics-q12

14. Integrated-circuit counter chips are used in numerous applications including ____________
A. Timing operations, counting operations, sequencing, and frequency multiplication
B. Timing operations, counting operations, sequencing, and frequency division
C. Timing operations, decoding operations, sequencing, and frequency multiplication
D. Data generation, counting operations, sequencing, and frequency multiplication
Answer: B
Clarification: There are no integrated circuit counter chips employed for frequency multiplication. In the rest of the options, frequency multiplication is mentioned which is not related to counters in anyway. So, they are not the correct answers. Thus, counters are used for timing operations, counting operations, sequencing and frequency division.

15. What is the difference between 7490 and a 7492?
A. 7490 is a MOD-12, 7492 is a MOD-10
B. 7490 is a MOD-12, 7492 is a MOD-16
C. 7490 is a MOD-16, 7492 is a MOD-10
D. 7490 is a MOD-10, 7492 is a MOD-12
Answer: D
Clarification: From the properties of both ICs, we have 7490 is a MOD-10, 7492 is a MOD-12. Thus, IC-7490 can have maximum 10 states, while IC-7492 can have maximum 12 states.

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