Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.07.07
What is the difference between unsigned and signed division using right shift?
Unsigned division by 2^k is a logical right shift; signed uses an arithmetic right shift — but the arithmetic shift rounds toward −∞, not toward zero like C's /.
For unsigned division:
u >> k == u / 2^k (truncates toward 0)
For signed division (negative numbers):
x >> k rounds toward -∞, not toward 0!
-7 >> 1 = -4 (but -7/2 should be -3)
Problem: C division truncates toward zero, but arithmetic shift rounds toward negative infinity.