What is the result of the postfix expression 5 3 + 2 *?

Options

  • A. 11
  • B. 16
  • C. 13
  • D. More than one of the above
  • E. None of the above

Correct Answer (Detailed Explanation is Below)

B. 16

Detailed Explanation

In postfix notation, the operator is written after its operands. For 5 3 + 2 *, first push 5 and 3, then apply + to obtain 8. Next, push 2 and apply * to obtain 16. Therefore, the final result is 16. Postfix expressions are commonly evaluated using a stack. When an operand is encountered, it is pushed onto the stack; when an operator appears, the required operands are popped, the operation is performed, and the result is pushed back.