Lesson number 3 – Let’s talk technology

Q1: Explain the role of an operating system in managing system resources.

 A1: The operating system (OS) manages the hardware and software resources of the
computer. It schedules tasks, efficiently allocates memory, manages disk drives, and handles
system inputs and outputs. The OS ensures that different programs and users running
simultaneously do not interfere with each other.

Q2: Discuss how utility programs like disk cleanup tools can enhance computer performance.
Provide a real-world application.

 A2: Disk cleanup tools help improve computer performance by freeing up disk space, which
allows the operating system to access data more efficiently. For example, in a school's
computer lab, running disk cleanup programs regularly on all computers can lead to faster
startup times and quicker application loading, enhancing the overall learning experience.

Topic 2: Binary and Denary Systems

Q3: Convert the binary number 1100101 to denary and explain the process.

 A3: The binary number 1100101 converts to denary as follows:

o Multiply each binary digit by two raised to the power of its position from right to left,
starting at zero. 1∗26+1∗25+0∗24+0∗23+1∗22+0∗21+1∗20=64+32+0+0+4+0+1=1011
o Thus, 1100101 in binary is 101 in denary.

Q4: Why is the binary system used in computing instead of the denary system?

 A4: The binary system is used because it aligns more naturally with the digital nature of
modern computing hardware. Computers use two-state devices (transistors) which are either
on or off, effectively represented by 1s and 0s. This makes the binary system simpler and
more efficient for processing information in digital electronics.

Topic 3: Logic Gates and Circuits

Q5: Create a truth table for a circuit combining an AND gate and an OR gate. Assume the AND
gate has inputs A and B, and the OR gate has inputs the output of the AND gate and C.

 A5:
o Inputs: A, B, C
o Outputs: X (AND), Y (OR)

A B C X (A AND B) Y (X OR C)
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 1 0 1
0 1 0 0 0
0 1 1 0 1
1 0 0 0 0
1 0 1 0 1
1 1 0 1 1
1 1 1 1 1
Q6: Explain how a NOT gate works and give a practical example of its use.

 A6: A NOT gate outputs the opposite value to its input. If the input is 1, the output is 0, and
vice versa. A practical use is in digital circuits where inversion of a signal is necessary, such
as inverting the output from a sensor to activate an alarm when no motion is detected (i.e.,
motion sensor outputs 0, NOT gate converts it to 1 to trigger the alarm).

Q7: How would updating the operating system improve system security and performance in a
school computer lab?

 A7: Updating the operating system can patch security vulnerabilities, improve compatibility
with newer software and hardware, enhance system stability, and optimize performance by
fixing known bugs and issues.

Q8: A student is learning about binary numbers to understand how data is processed inside
computers. Explain how understanding binary numbers is essential for programming.

 A8: Understanding binary numbers is crucial for programming because it allows

programmers to work closely with low-level data manipulation, optimize storage, and control
hardware directly, which is especially important in systems programming and developing
algorithms for data processing.

Q9: Design a simple security system using logic gates that triggers an alarm if either a
window is opened or motion is detected, but not if both happen simultaneously.

 A9: Use an OR gate to connect the inputs from the window and motion sensors. The output
of this OR gate then connects to a NOT gate along with a direct input from the motion sensor
to an AND gate. This ensures the alarm triggers under the specified conditions.

Q10: Propose a way that AR can be used to enhance learning in geography classes.

 A10: AR can be used to bring geographic concepts to life by allowing students to interact
with 3D models of physical features, such as mountains and rivers, directly in their
classroom environment, enhancing understanding and engagement.

Q11: A school is digitizing its library. Decide between using lossy and lossless compression
for storing digital copies of images and documents.

 A11: For images where visual quality is crucial, such as historical documents or artwork,
lossless compression is preferred to preserve all original data. For general images where
storage space is a concern, lossy compression may be used as it significantly reduces file size
at the cost of some quality.

Q12: Discuss how AR can transform traditional classroom settings into interactive learning
environments.

 A12: AR can overlay historical battlefields over the current landscape or display 3D models of
the solar system, providing students with immersive and interactive learning experiences
that enhance understanding.
Q13: Define RAM and ROM. Explain their roles in a computer system.

 A13: RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile memory that temporarily stores data for
currently running processes, allowing quick read and write access by the CPU. ROM (Read-
Only Memory) is non-volatile memory that permanently stores critical data needed for
hardware initialization, including firmware or the BIOS. RAM facilitates active processing,
while ROM is essential for system startup and initial hardware checks.

Q14: Compare and contrast the functions of primary memory and secondary storage devices
in a computer system.

 A14: Primary memory, like RAM, is directly accessed by the CPU for all active processes,
providing fast access speeds but is volatile, meaning data is lost when power is off.
Secondary storage devices (e.g., SSDs, HDDs) provide permanent storage solutions for data
and programs not currently in use. They are non-volatile, retaining data without power, but
have slower access speeds compared to RAM.

Q15: Discuss how secondary storage devices impact the performance of a computer system.
Provide examples.

 A15: Secondary storage devices affect system performance through their data retrieval
speeds and reliability. For example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) has faster read/write speeds
than an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), significantly improving boot times, application loading, and
data transfer rates. However, SSDs are generally more expensive per gigabyte than HDDs.

Q16: Explain the importance of RAM in multitasking environments.

 A16: RAM is crucial in multitasking as it allows the computer to store and switch between
multiple programs' data quickly. Adequate RAM ensures smooth performance without lags
when running several applications simultaneously, as each program requires a portion of
RAM to operate efficiently.

Q17: What is the role of ROM in modern computing devices beyond the booting process?

 A17: Beyond booting, ROM also stores firmware that controls various hardware functions
within the device, such as security measures, system configuration settings, and interface
protocols that do not frequently change. This ensures that essential software is safeguarded
against accidental modification or loss.

Q18: Describe a scenario where secondary storage is crucial in educational technology.

 A18: In an educational setting, secondary storage is vital for storing extensive digital libraries
of textbooks, multimedia resources for learning, and software applications. For instance, a
school server may use large HDDs to archive years of student work, educational videos, and
backup copies of classroom materials, accessible over the network.

Q19: How does upgrading RAM affect a computer's ability to run high-end software
applications like video editing tools?

 A19: Upgrading RAM allows a computer to handle more data simultaneously, crucial for
high-end software applications that require significant memory, such as video editing
programs. More RAM can reduce the frequency of reading/writing to slower secondary
storage, thereby enhancing the application's responsiveness and processing speed.