A blocked arm is accounted for as lost counts, then the surviving arm is split. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

Blocking one arm removes those counts

The first split still makes 4 upper and 4 lower, but the blocked lower arm carries 4 lost counts.

Nlost=4N_{\text{lost}}=4
Blocked armThe lost bar is part of the checked ledger.1/2upper1/2lower1/4bright1/4dark1/2lostphase

The surviving arm splits at the final splitter

The surviving 4 counts split into 2 bright and 2 dark. Interference is not claimed when one arm is blocked.

2+2+4=82+2+4=8
Blocked output ledgerSurviving and lost counts close the budget.1/2upper1/2lower1/4bright1/4dark1/2lostphase