Original: A 16-bit processor would be able to complete the operation with single instruction) Historically, 4-bit microprocessors were replaced with 8-bit, then 16-bit, then 32-bit microprocessors.
Simplified: A 16-bit processor would be able to complete the operation with single instruction) Historically, 4-bit microprocessors were replaced with 8-bit, then 16-bit, then 32-bit microprocessors, then 64-bit microprocessors.