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LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question

Exhibit

Device     Boot   Start       End   Sectors   Size Id Type
/dev/sda1  *       2048   2099199   2097152     1G 83 Linux
/dev/sda2       2099200  41943039  39843840    19G 83 Linux
/dev/sda3      41943040  83886079  41943040    20G 83 Linux

Refer to the exhibit. An administrator wants to add a new partition that uses the remaining space on /dev/sda (total 40GB). What is the next free sector for the start of the new partition?

⚠ Common exam trap

A common mix-up: candidates confuse the last sector number (83886079) with the next free sector, forgetting that sectors are zero-indexed and the next free sector is one greater than the last used sector, which in this case equals the total sector count and indicates no space remains.

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

83886080

The disk has 40 GB, which is 83886080 sectors, numbered 0–83886079. The existing partition(s) end at sector 83886079, so the next free sector would be 83886080. Although this sector is beyond the disk, it is the correct arithmetic answer and indicates that no free space remains. Therefore, option A is correct.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • ✓

    83886080

    Why this is correct

    The next free sector after the last used sector.

  • ✗

    83886079

    Why it's wrong here

    This is the last sector of the existing partition, not free.

  • ✗

    83886078

    Why it's wrong here

    This is the second last sector, not free.

  • ✗

    0

    Why it's wrong here

    Sector 0 is the MBR, not free for a new partition.

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JA

Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security

Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva

This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LPIC-1 exam.