Chapter 3: Hardware Basics

Review Questions (page 60)

3) Both are different methods for a computer to break down and understand/manipulate any information input into it. The binary number system would denote the information into combinations fo two digits, while the ASCII code represents each character with a 8-bit code to break down the information.

4)Information is stored in binary formats because a computer cannot directly read any text, multipeida,etc, unless it breaks it down into binary code.

5) Not all software is compatible with every CPU, becasue software isusually written for a specifi processor, and not for any other ones. This is why mactintoch sfotware won't work with an intel processor.

6) Another factor besides clock speed that determines a CPU's performance level is the "architecture" of the CPU, as wella s how many bits it can process at one time (word size).

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8) Symmettric multi-processing is when chip makers put multiple CPUs in a single chip. Its more efficeint becasue it makes use of one operating ssytem to control more than one processor; it in creases a PCs performance without geenrating the heat that owould be generated by adding a single, faster CPU.

9) RAM is random access memory. it stores information until the processor is ready to handle it, but it only stores things temporarily. ROM, on the other hand, is read-only memory. It stores information for the computer to carry out essential functions permanently.

10)Primary storage, such as the RAM, stores data that needds to be instantly accessible to the CPU. Secondary storage, such as various storage devices (USBs, CDs,etc) stores any other data, that one can easily access and retrieve information with.