A ____________ bit is an extra bit included with a binary message to make the total number of is either odd or even.

Correct option is B

A parity bit is an extra bit added to a binary message to ensure that the total number of 1s in the message is either even or odd. This technique is commonly used for error detection in digital communications, as it allows systems to identify single-bit errors.
Important Key Points:
1. Error Detection: Parity bits are used to identify errors in data transmission by checking whether the total count of 1s matches the expected parity (odd or even).
2. Even and Odd Parity: Even parity adds a bit to make the total count of 1s even, while odd parity does the same to ensure an odd count.
3. Simple Error Checking: Parity checking is a fundamental error detection method, although it does not correct errors, only detects them.
Knowledge Booster:
· Exclusive: Not used as an error-detection bit but rather as a logical operation, such as XOR in binary logic.
· Complementary: Refers to a bit's inverse value, commonly used in operations like two’s complement.
· Checker Bit: Not a standard term in data transmission, though the concept is sometimes used informally for parity or error bits.