GATE 2025 AR — Architecture – Question 65
Sixteen independent identical machines are equally distant from a receiver. Each produces 60 dB there. With a 70 dB limit, find maximum machines operating simultaneously, as an integer.
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Correct answer: 10 to 10
Explanation
Independent equal sound intensities add, so combined level is 60+10log₁₀n. Require 60+10log₁₀n≤70, givinglog₁₀n≤1 and n≤10. Thus 10 machines can operate together. Adding decibel values arithmetically would not represent acoustic energy.