Quiz on How Computers Work

What are the four tasks that all computers need to perform?

• Move physical things, manipulate information, solve equations, and track stars

• Take input, store information, process it, and output the results

• Design thinking machines, manipulate numbers, talk to each other, and control robots

• Perform calculations, store data, manipulate algorithms, and display information

What were the earliest computers made of?

• Gleaming, varied metal and numerous flashing lights

• Electrical components and flashing lights

• Wood and metal with mechanical levers and gears

• Basic calculators manipulating numbers

What is input in a computer?

• The stuff that the world does or that you do to make the computer do stuff

• The processed information sent back to be stored in memory

• The output from one computer becoming the input to another

• The series of commands used to manipulate information

What does a computer's processor do?

• Takes information from memory, manipulates it using an algorithm, and sends the processed information back to be stored in memory

• Listens to your heartbeat or what the car is doing

• Displays text, photos, videos, or interactive games

• Controls a robot and connects over the internet

How does a computer output information?

• By taking input from a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or camera

• By storing information in memory and processing it using algorithms

• By manipulating physical things like dirt and stone

• It depends on what the computer is designed to do, such as showing text, photos, videos, or controlling a robot

What makes a computer a computer?

• The ability to perform calculations, store data, manipulate algorithms, and display information

• The design of thinking machines and the ability to control robots

• Being able to manipulate physical things and solve equations

• The ability to take input, store information, process it, and output the results

What did the pioneers of computer science realize about designing a thinking machine?

• It had to perform the tasks of taking input, storing information, processing it, and outputting the results

• It needed to manipulate physical things like dirt and stone

• It should be able to solve equations and track stars in the sky

• It had to be made out of wood and metal with mechanical levers and gears

What do modern computers look like?

• They are large and slow, taking hours to do basic math problems

• They are basic calculators manipulating numbers

• They are made out of wood and metal with mechanical levers and gears

• They look different from clunky old machines and can be used for various tasks like talking to each other, playing games, controlling robots, etc.

What do computers do with the information they receive?

• They display it on a computer screen or control a robot

• They store it in memory, process it using algorithms, and output the results

• They listen to your heartbeat or what the car is doing

• They manipulate physical things like dirt and stone

What are the four things that all computers do?

• Take in information, store it as data, process it, and output the results

• Perform calculations, store data, manipulate algorithms, and display information

• Move physical things, manipulate information, solve equations, and track stars

• Design thinking machines, manipulate numbers, talk to each other, and control robots