GATE CS 2024 Set 2 — Question 24

MSQ+1 / -0MediumPaging & Address TranslationMemory ManagementOperating System

Operating System → Memory Management → Paging & Address Translation

Last updated 20 August 2026

Question

Which of the following tasks is/are the responsibility/responsibilities of the memory management unit (MMU) in a system with paging-based memory management?

Correct answer (B) Translate a virtual address to a physical address using the page table; (C) Raise a trap when a virtual address is not found in the page table; (D) Raise a trap when a process tries to write to a page marked with read-only permission in the page table Solution The Memory Management Unit (MMU) is a hardware component responsible for handling memory accesses requested by the CPU. (A) False: Allocating a new page table is a memory management task performed by the Operating System kernel when a process is created. The MMU uses the page table but does not create/allocate it. (B) True: The primary function of the MMU is to translate virtual addresses to physical addresses at runtime using the page table (and TLB). (C) True: If a translation is not present (valid bit is 0) in the page table (or TLB), the MMU raises a hardware exception (trap), commonly known as a page fault, so the OS can handle it. (D) True: The MMU checks access permissions (Read/Write/Execute bits) present in the page table entries. If a process attempts an operation that violates these permissions (e.g., writing to a read-only page), the MMU raises a protection fault/trap. Turn this into a strength. Explore AI-powered practice and doubt support with Success Tracker.

Review answer and solution without JavaScript

Interactive answer checking needs JavaScript. The published solution is available below.

Correct answer (B) Translate a virtual address to a physical address using the page table; (C) Raise a trap when a virtual address is not found in the page table; (D) Raise a trap when a process tries to write to a page marked with read-only permission in the page table Solution The Memory Management Unit (MMU) is a hardware component responsible for handling memory accesses requested by the CPU. (A) False: Allocating a new page table is a memory management task performed by the Operating System kernel when a process is created. The MMU uses the page table but does not create/allocate it. (B) True: The primary function of the MMU is to translate virtual addresses to physical addresses at runtime using the page table (and TLB). (C) True: If a translation is not present (valid bit is 0) in the page table (or TLB), the MMU raises a hardware exception (trap), commonly known as a page fault, so the OS can handle it. (D) True: The MMU checks access permissions (Read/Write/Execute bits) present in the page table entries. If a process attempts an operation that violates these permissions (e.g., writing to a read-only page), the MMU raises a protection fault/trap.

Continue learning with Success Tracker

Use Success Tracker to ask about the reasoning, then try another GATE CS question to check your understanding.

AI-powered practice· Unlimited practice on eligible plans

PYQs with solutions: Attempt available previous-year questions, then compare your reasoning with the worked solution. Coverage varies by stream.
Practice that adapts: Choose a topic, work on weaker areas and bookmark questions to revisit. Your attempts feed your progress tracking.
AI doubt support: Ask follow-up questions about a step or concept while practising, instead of stopping at the final answer.

Unlimited practice is available on eligible plans. Free practice and AI usage have limits; check the current plan allowances before choosing.

This page stays readable without an account. AI responses can be wrong; check them against the solution and source material.