Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.07.07
What is the result of -1 >> 1 for a signed integer?
Still −1: arithmetic right shift fills the top with the sign bit (1), so all-ones stays all-ones.
-1 in binary: 11111111 (all 1s)
-1 >> 1: 11111111 (sign bit 1 fills in)
Result: -1
Explanation: When you arithmetic-shift a value of all 1s, you're filling with 1s, so it stays all 1s.
In general: -1 >> k = -1 for any k (as long as k < bit width).