Question 1

A coprocessor speeds processing by executing specific types of instructions while the central processing unit (CPU) works on another processing activity.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. A coprocessor is designed to work in conjunction with the CPU to handle specific types of instructions, such as floating-point calculations or graphics processing, while the CPU continues to work on other tasks. This can greatly improve overall performance and speed up processing times.

Question 2

When making hardware decisions, the overriding considerations of a business should be technology cost and currency.

Accepted Answer

While technology cost and currency are important, the overriding considerations should also include factors such as compatibility, scalability, security, and how well the technology aligns with the business's strategic goals and operational needs.

Question 3

Sequential access storage devices (SASDs) allow data to be accessed more quickly than direct access storage devices (DASDs).

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Direct access storage devices (DASDs) allow for faster access to data than sequential access storage devices (SASDs). With DASDs, data can be accessed directly, rather than having to search through the entire storage device in a specific order as with SASDs.

Question 4

There are a number of compact disk devices including read-only, recordable, and rewritable.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. There are multiple types of compact disk devices, including read-only (CD-ROM), recordable (CD-R), and rewritable (CD-RW).

Question 5

Solid state storage devices (SSDs) store data in hard disk drives or optical media rather than memory chips.

Accepted Answer

This statement is false. Solid state storage devices (SSDs) store data in memory chips, not hard disk drives or optical media.

Question 6

​A digital video disc (DVD) looks like a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) but has a greater storage capacity and can transfer data at a faster rate.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. DVDs have a higher storage capacity and faster data transfer rate than CDs.

Question 7

People involved in selecting their organization's computer hardware need not understand current and future business requirements.

Accepted Answer

People involved in selecting their organization's computer hardware should understand current and future business requirements because the hardware needs to align with the organization's goals and objectives. Ignoring business requirements can lead to choosing the wrong hardware, which can negatively impact the organization's productivity and profitability.

Question 8

Massively parallel processing systems are a form of multiprocessing that speeds processing by linking hundreds or thousands of processors to operate at the same time.

Accepted Answer

Massively parallel processing systems link large numbers of processors to work together simultaneously, resulting in faster processing times.

Question 9

Devices used to sequentially access secondary storage data are called direct access storage devices (DASDs).

Accepted Answer

Direct access storage devices (DASDs) allow random access to different parts of a storage medium. Devices used for sequential access are called sequential access storage devices (SASDs), examples of which include magnetic tape drives and floppy disks.

Question 10

Each central processing unit (CPU) produces a series of electronic pulses at a predetermined rate, called the clock speed, which affects machine cycle time.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The clock speed of a CPU determines the frequency of electronic pulses it generates, which in turn affects the time taken to complete machine cycles. Faster clock speeds generally result in shorter cycle times and more powerful processing capabilities.

Question 11

Secondary storage can store large amounts of data, instructions, and information more permanently than allowed with main memory.

Accepted Answer

Secondary storage devices have larger storage capacity and can hold data or instructions even after the computer is turned off, making it a more permanent form of storage compared to main memory.

Question 12

Compared to main memory, secondary storage has the advantages of volatility, lowered capacity, and higher costs.

Accepted Answer

This statement is incorrect. Main memory (RAM) is volatile and has limited capacity, while secondary storage (such as hard drives and flash drives) is non-volatile and can hold much more data than RAM. Additionally, secondary storage is usually less expensive per unit of storage compared to main memory.

Question 13

Magnetic ink character recognition technology codes data on the bottom of a check or other form using special magnetic ink, which is readable by people and computers.

Accepted Answer

Magnetic ink character recognition technology does indeed code data on the bottom of a check or other form using special magnetic ink, which is readable by both people and computers.

Question 14

RAM stands for random access memory, a form of memory that holds its contents even if the current is turned off or disrupted.

Accepted Answer

RAM is a volatile form of memory, meaning it loses its contents when the power is turned off or disrupted.

Question 15

Disk mirroring is a method of storing data that generates extra bits of data from existing data, allowing the system to create a "reconstruction map" so that if a hard drive fails, it can rebuild lost data.

Accepted Answer

Disk mirroring, also known as RAID 1, involves copying data identically from one disk to another, creating a mirror image, rather than generating extra bits of data for reconstruction.

Question 16

Primary memory, which holds program instructions and data, is not associated with the central processing unit (CPU).

Accepted Answer

Primary memory, also known as main memory or system memory, is directly associated with the CPU and is used to store program instructions and data that the CPU needs to access quickly. This includes both random access memory (RAM) and cache memory.

Question 17

A terabyte is about one billion bytes of data.

Accepted Answer

A terabyte is about one trillion bytes of data, or precisely 1,024 gigabytes.

Question 18

Virtual tape technology can decrease data access time, lower the total cost of ownership, and reduce the amount of floor space consumed by tape operations.

Accepted Answer

Virtual tape technology creates a virtual layer between the application and the physical tape, meaning that data can be retrieved faster and more efficiently. It also reduces the need for physical tape storage, which can lower costs and save space.

Question 19

A redundant array of independent/inexpensive disks (RAID) is a method of storing data so that data can be accessed more quickly.

Accepted Answer

RAID is primarily used for data redundancy and improved performance, but its main purpose is not solely to increase access speed. It combines multiple disk drives into a single unit to provide fault tolerance and data protection.

Question 20

Regardless of how data gets into the computer, it should be captured and edited at its destination.

Accepted Answer

Data should be captured and edited as close to its source as possible to ensure accuracy and efficiency.

Quiz 3: Hardware: Input, Processing, Output, and Storage Devices