Quiz: How Computers Work

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

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

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

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

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

What were the earliest computers made of?

• Wood and metal with mechanical levers and gears

• Electrical components and flashing lights

• Gleaming, varied metal and numerous flashing lights

• Basic calculators manipulating numbers

What is input in a computer?

• The processed information sent back to be stored in memory

• The output of a computer displayed on a screen

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

• The series of commands used to manipulate information

What does a computer's processor do?

• Controls a robot using signals

• Displays text, photos, videos, or interactive games

• Connects over the internet to exchange information

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

How does a computer output information?

• It depends on what the computer is designed to do

• By connecting to other computers over the internet

• By listening to your heartbeat or what the car is doing

• By sensing your finger on a touch screen

What do all computers have in common?

• They perform calculations, store data, manipulate algorithms, and display information

• They design thinking machines, manipulate numbers, and control robots

• They manipulate physical things, solve equations, and track stars

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

What were the early computers mainly used for?

• Tracking stars in the sky and solving equations

• Controlling robots and doing crazy things

• Manipulating numbers and performing calculations

• Talking to each other and playing games