Identify the correct sequence of steps 1-4 followed by the CPU as it processes each instruction in a program.

The CPU processes each instruction in a repeating cycle of fetch, decode, execute and then store the result.

Step 3, Fetch, comes first as the instruction is brought from memory into the processor.

Step 2, Decode, comes next as the control unit interprets what the instruction means.

Step 4, Execute, follows as the arithmetic and logic unit performs the required operation.

Step 1, Store, comes last as the result is written back to memory or a register.

The correct sequence is therefore 3, 2, 4, 1.

This repeating cycle is known as the instruction or fetch-execute cycle.