What part of the CPU carries out arithmetic and Boolean operations?

The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) is the component of the CPU responsible for performing arithmetic operations, such as addition and subtraction, as well as Boolean operations, which involve logical operations like AND, OR, and NOT. The ALU takes input from the registers and, upon executing the required operations, outputs the results back to the registers or memory. This crucial function of the ALU enables the CPU to perform calculations and make decisions based on logical conditions, which are foundational for all processing tasks in a computer.

In contrast, the Control Unit orchestrates the operations of the CPU by directing the flow of data between the CPU and other components, but it does not perform calculations itself. Cache Memory serves as high-speed storage that holds frequently accessed data and instructions to speed up processing but is not involved in the operations themselves. Registers are small storage locations within the CPU that hold temporary data and instructions during processing, but they do not carry out operations. Each of these components plays a significant role in the overall function of the CPU, but the ALU specifically is the one that executes arithmetic and Boolean operations.