Which of the following is not a function of an operating system?

The correct answer is that performing mathematical calculations is not a function of an operating system. An operating system primarily serves as a mediator between hardware resources and applications running on a computer.

One of the essential roles of an operating system is managing hardware resources such as the CPU, memory, disk drives, and input/output devices. It allocates these resources efficiently to ensure that applications have the necessary access to perform their functions.

Running applications is another critical function. The operating system is responsible for loading applications into memory and managing their execution, which includes scheduling tasks, managing multitasking, and ensuring that programs get CPU time to operate effectively.

Furthermore, providing a user interface is a significant aspect of operating systems. They often feature graphical user interfaces (GUIs) or command-line interfaces that allow users to interact with the computer and execute commands conveniently.

While mathematical calculations are essential for many applications, those tasks are typically performed by the applications themselves or through programming libraries. The operating system does not inherently process mathematical calculations; rather, it supports the execution of programs that carry out these operations. Thus, performing mathematical calculations lies outside the direct functions of an operating system.