Question 1

Which of these is not an algorithm?
A) A pasta recipe
B) A shopping list
C) The steps used in performing long division

Accepted Answer

A pasta recipe (A) and the steps used in performing long division (C) are both sequences of instructions designed to perform a task or solve a problem, fitting the definition of an algorithm. A shopping list (B), however, is simply a list of items to be bought and does not involve a sequence of steps or instructions to perform a specific task, making it not an algorithm.

Question 2

Most algorithms require computers because
A) they would require too much time and/or detail for a person to apply
B) algorithms are only written in programming languages
C) most algorithms are simple and practical enough for computers to understand

Accepted Answer

Algorithms can be executed by humans but often require computers because they can involve complex, repetitive, or time-consuming tasks that are impractical for humans to perform manually. Algorithms are not exclusively written in programming languages; they can be described in natural language or pseudocode and are not inherently simple or solely designed for computers to understand.

Question 3

For the Day of the Week algorithm given below, determine the day of the week for the following dates:
(a) September 14, 1864
(b) April 5, 1971
(c) February 21, 2004

Accepted Answer

The answer of For the Day of the Week algorithm...

Question 4

The more voltage levels that the hardware is able to utilize and distinguish, the more reliable the hardware design becomes.

Accepted Answer

Increasing the number of voltage levels can make the system more susceptible to noise and interference, potentially reducing reliability.

Question 5

All of the information in a computer system is represented using digits 0-9.

Accepted Answer

Information in a computer system is primarily represented using a binary system, consisting of only two digits: 0 and 1.

Question 6

Digital computers are designed to either use binary values 0,1.

Accepted Answer

Digital computers use binary values (0 and 1) to represent and process data, as their electronic circuits operate with two distinct states: on and off.

Question 7

In binary representation, each digit represents either the value -1, 0, or 1.

Accepted Answer

In binary representation, each digit represents either the value 0 or 1.

Question 8

A transistor is an electronic switch that can switch at very high speed.

Accepted Answer

Transistors can operate at very high speeds, allowing them to switch on and off thousands, millions, or even billions of times per second, which is essential for modern electronic devices and computing.

Question 9

Integrated circuits, the building blocks of computer hardware, are made up millions or even billions of transistors.

Accepted Answer

Integrated circuits, which are fundamental components of computer hardware, indeed consist of millions or even billions of transistors. These transistors are miniaturized and embedded within a small chip to perform various electronic functions, including processing and memory storage.

Question 10

The decimal value of the binary number 1001 is 9.

Accepted Answer

In binary, 1001 represents 1*(2^3) + 0*(2^2) + 0*(2^1) + 1*(2^0) = 8 + 0 + 0 + 1 = 9 in decimal.

Question 11

The binary number 1000 is larger than binary number 0111.

Accepted Answer

In binary, 1000 represents the decimal number 8, while 0111 represents the decimal number 7, making 1000 larger than 0111.

Question 12

The number following binary number 1011 is 1100.

Accepted Answer

In binary, adding one to 1011 (11 in decimal) results in 1100 (12 in decimal), following the binary counting sequence.

Question 13

A byte is a group of (usually) eight bits.

Accepted Answer

A byte is commonly defined as a group of 8 bits and is a basic unit of information in computer science and digital computing.

Question 14

The algorithm for converting a number in base 10 to base 2 is to successively divide the number by ten until the remainder becomes 0.

Accepted Answer

The correct algorithm for converting a number from base 10 to base 2 involves successively dividing the number by 2 (not 10) and recording the remainder until the quotient becomes 0.

Question 15

The fundamental hardware components of computer system are the central processing unit (CPU), main memory, volatile memory, input/output devices, and buses.

Accepted Answer

The given statement correctly lists the fundamental hardware components of a computer system: CPU, main memory, volatile memory, input/output devices, and buses.

Question 16

Main memory is volatile, meaning that its contents are retained only when power is supplied.

Accepted Answer

Main memory, such as RAM, is volatile, which means it loses its contents when the power is turned off.

Question 17

A Central Processing Unit is designed to execute instructions written as a sequence of bits.

Accepted Answer

A Central Processing Unit (CPU) executes instructions that are encoded as sequences of bits, which represent various operations such as arithmetic, logic, control, and input/output operations.

Question 18

A flash (USB) drive is an example of a device containing nonvolatile memory.

Accepted Answer

Nonvolatile memory retains stored data even when not powered, which is a characteristic of flash (USB) drives, allowing them to preserve files without a constant power supply.

Question 19

Buses provide communication between hardware components.

Accepted Answer

Buses are used in computer architecture to transfer data between different components of a computer or between computers, facilitating communication among the hardware components.

Question 20

An operating system is the part of the hardware that controls all the other hardware components of a computer system.

Accepted Answer

An operating system is software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs, not a part of the hardware.

Quiz 1: Introduction

Which of these is not an algorithm?

Most algorithms require computers because

For the Day of the Week algorithm given below, determine the day of the week for the following dates: (a) September 14, 1864 (b) April 5, 1971 (c) February 21, 2004