Exercise Solutions: Systems and Computing (Grade 9)

From Uploaded PDF Document

Multiple-Choice Question

10. Which of the following transports data inside a computer among different components?
a) Control Unit
b) System Bus
c) Memory
d) Processor

Answer: b) System Bus

Explanation: The system bus is like a highway inside the computer that moves data between
different parts, such as the CPU, memory, and other components. The PDF says, "A system
bus is a collection of electrically conductive cables that transmit data between the CPU and all
other interconnected components" (Page 12). The Control Unit manages tasks, Memory stores
data, and the Processor does calculations, but the System Bus is what actually transports the
data.

Short Questions

1. Define a system. What are its basic components?

Answer: A system is a set of parts that work together to do a specific job. For example, a car is
a system with parts like an engine and wheels that make it move (Page 1). The basic
components of a system are:
- Objectives: The goal it wants to achieve, like a computer processing data (Page 2).
- Components: The parts that make it work, like the CPU and memory in a computer (Page 3).
- Communication: How the parts talk to each other, like the CPU fetching data from memory
(Page 4).
- Environment: The outside things it interacts with, like a power supply for a computer (Page 4).

2. Differentiate between natural and artificial systems.

Answer:
- Natural Systems: These are systems that exist in nature without humans making them. For
example, the human body has systems like the circulatory system that pumps blood (Page 4).
They just happen and work on their own.
- Artificial Systems: These are systems made by people to solve problems or do tasks. For
example, a metro train system in Lahore moves people around (Page 9). They are designed
with a purpose, like helping us travel or compute.

3. Describe the main components of a computer system.

Answer: A computer system has these main parts (Page 12):
- Interface Components: Input devices like a keyboard and mouse to give instructions, and
output devices like a monitor and printer to show results.
- Processing Components: The CPU (brain) does calculations, RAM holds data temporarily, and
storage (like a hard drive) keeps data permanently. The operating system manages everything.
- Communication Components: The motherboard connects all parts, and the system bus moves
data between them using cables like the data bus, address bus, and control bus.

4. List and describe the types of computing systems.

Answer: There are four main types of computing systems (Page 18):
- Computers: Machines that process data, like your laptop running games or apps (Page 12).
- Software Systems: Programs that tell the computer what to do, like Windows or a web browser
(Page 17).
- Computer Networks: Systems connecting computers to share stuff, like an office network with
printers (Page 18).
- Internet: A huge system linking networks worldwide for communication, like browsing websites
(Page 19).

5. What are the main components of the Von Neumann architecture?

Answer: The Von Neumann architecture has four main parts (Page 15):
- Memory: Stores both data and instructions, like RAM holding a game’s code.
- CPU (Central Processing Unit): Does the work with the ALU (math) and Control Unit (manages
tasks).
- Input Devices: Like a keyboard or mouse to put data in.
- Output Devices: Like a monitor or printer to show results.

6. What is the Von Neumann computer architecture? List its key components.
Answer: The Von Neumann architecture is a design for computers where data and instructions
are stored together and processed step-by-step. It was created in the 1940s by John von
Neumann (Page 14). Its key components are:
- Memory: Holds data and programs.
- CPU: Has the ALU for calculations and Control Unit to run things.
- Input Devices: For entering data, like a mouse.
- Output Devices: For showing results, like a screen.
- System Bus: Moves data between parts (Page 15).

7. What are the four main steps in the Von Neumann architecture’s instruction cycle?
Answer: The four steps are how the CPU follows instructions (Page 16):
- Fetching: The CPU grabs an instruction from memory, like getting “2+2” from RAM.
- Decoding: The Control Unit figures out what the instruction means, like “add these numbers.”
- Execution: The CPU does the job, like the ALU adding 2+2.
- Storing: The result (like 4) is saved in memory or shown on the screen.

8. What is the Von Neumann bottleneck?

Answer: The Von Neumann bottleneck is a problem where the CPU can’t get data and
instructions fast enough because they share the same memory and bus. This slows things
down, like a traffic jam on a single road (Page 17).

9. What is a key advantage of the Von Neumann architecture?

Answer: A key advantage is its flexibility. You can easily change programs by updating the
memory, like installing a new game to replace an old one (Page 17).

10. What are the three main requirements for a computing system to function?
Answer: A computing system needs three things to work (Page 17):
- Hardware: The physical parts like the CPU, RAM, and monitor.
- Software: Programs like the operating system (Windows) or apps (games) that tell the
hardware what to do.
- Electricity: Power to run everything—without it, nothing works!

Long Questions

11. Define and describe the concept of a system. Explain the fundamental components,
objectives, environment, and methods of communication within a system.
Answer: A system is a group of parts that work together to do something useful. Think of a car:
it has an engine, wheels, and brakes that team up to make it move (Page 1). Here’s what
makes a system:
- Fundamental Components: These are the building blocks, like a computer’s CPU, memory,
and keyboard (Page 3). Each part has a job, but they work as a team.
- Objectives: Every system has a goal. A computer’s goal is to process data, like turning your
typing into text on the screen (Page 2).
- Environment: This is the outside world the system interacts with. For a computer, it’s things
like the power supply or a network (Page 4).
- Methods of Communication: The parts talk to each other to get the job done. In a computer,
the CPU talks to memory through the system bus to fetch data (Page 4). Systems can be
simple, like a thermostat keeping a room warm, or complex, like your body keeping you alive!

12. Differentiate between natural and artificial systems. Discuss their characteristics, functions,
and purposes with relevant examples.
Answer:
- Natural Systems: These are made by nature, not humans. They exist on their own, like the
human body with its circulatory system pumping blood or the brain processing info from your
senses (Page 4). Their function is to keep living things working, and their purpose is survival—
like how your body keeps you alive.
- Artificial Systems: These are built by people for a reason. Take the Lahore Metro Train: it’s
made of tracks, trains, and stations to move people around fast (Page 9). Their function is to do
a specific task (transportation), and their purpose is to make life easier or solve problems.
Natural systems evolve naturally, while artificial ones are designed with a plan.
13. Examine the relationship between systems and different branches of science, including
natural science, design science, and computer science. How do these branches utilize system
theory to understand and improve their respective fields? Provide specific examples to support
your analysis.
Answer: Systems are studied in different sciences to learn about the world or make new things:
- Natural Science: This looks at systems in nature to understand them. Scientists study a forest
ecosystem to see how animals and plants work together (Page 10). System theory helps them
figure out how it all connects—like a food chain.
- Design Science: This creates new systems to solve problems. Engineers design a software
system to manage forest data for conservation (Page 11). System theory helps them plan the
parts and how they’ll work together.
- Computer Science: This mixes both. It studies natural rules of computers, like how sorting
algorithms work (Page 11), and designs new tools, like a programming language for secure
coding (Page 11). System theory helps understand and improve how computers process data.
Each science uses systems to either explore what’s there or build something useful!

14. Explore the different types of computing systems such as computers, software systems,
computer networks, and the internet.
Answer: Computing systems help us process and share data. Here are the types:
- Computers: Machines that run programs, like your PC playing games or doing homework
(Page 12). They have hardware (CPU, RAM) and software to work.
- Software Systems: Programs that control computers, like Windows managing your files or a
browser showing websites (Page 17). They tell hardware what to do.
- Computer Networks: Connect computers to share stuff. A school network links PCs and
printers so everyone can use them (Page 18). It uses routers and cables.
- Internet: A giant network connecting the world. You use it to email or browse—data zips
across cables super fast (Page 19).
Each type has parts that team up for different jobs, from simple tasks to global communication!

15. Describe the main characteristics of a computer as a system, including its objectives,
components, and interactions among these components.
Answer: A computer is a system that processes data and does tasks. Here’s how:
- Objectives: Its goal is to compute and run programs fast, like opening a game or typing a
document (Page 12).
- Components: It has input devices (keyboard), output devices (monitor), the CPU (brain), RAM
(short-term memory), storage (long-term memory), and the motherboard and system bus to
connect everything (Page 12).
- Interactions: The parts work together. When you click a file, the mouse sends a signal, the
CPU grabs it from storage via the system bus, processes it, and shows it on the screen (Page
13). It’s like a team passing a ball to score a goal—all parts must cooperate!

16. Explain the Von Neumann architecture of a computer. Include a discussion on the main
components, their functions, and the step-by-step process of how the architecture operates.
Answer: The Von Neumann architecture is a computer design from the 1940s by John von
Neumann (Page 14). It stores data and programs together and works step-by-step:
- Main Components and Functions:
- Memory: Stores data and instructions, like RAM holding a math problem (Page 15).
- CPU: The ALU does math (like 2+2), and the Control Unit runs the show (Page 15).
- Input Devices: Like a keyboard to type numbers (Page 15).
- Output Devices: Like a screen to show answers (Page 15).
- System Bus: Moves data between parts (Page 15).
- Step-by-Step Process:
1. Fetching: The CPU grabs an instruction from memory, like “add 2+2” (Page 16).
2. Decoding: The Control Unit figures out it’s an addition (Page 16).
3. Execution: The ALU adds 2+2 to get 4 (Page 16).
4. Storing: The result (4) goes to memory or the screen (Page 16).
It’s like following a recipe—one step at a time to bake a cake!

17. Provide a detailed explanation of how a computer interacts with its environment. Include
examples of user input, network communication, and power supply.
Answer: A computer interacts with its environment (outside stuff) to work:
- User Input: You type on a keyboard or click a mouse, and the computer processes it. For
example, typing “hello” makes the screen show “hello” as the CPU handles it (Page 14).
- Network Communication: The computer connects to the internet or other devices. When you
browse a website, it sends data through a network and gets the page back to show you (Page
14).
- Power Supply: Electricity powers everything. Without plugging it in, the computer won’t turn on
—power makes the CPU, screen, and all parts run (Page 14).
It’s like a plant needing water, sunlight, and air—computers need these things from their
environment to function!

18. Describe the process of retrieving and displaying a file using a computer, based on the
interactions among different components. Provide a step-by-step explanation of how input is
processed, data is transferred, and results are displayed on the screen.
Answer: Here’s how a computer opens and shows a file, like “report.docx” (Page 13):
1. User Action (Input): You double-click the file icon with your mouse. The mouse sends a signal
through its USB connection to the computer.
2. Operating System Response: The operating system (like Windows) gets the signal and tells
the CPU to open the file.
3. CPU and Memory Interaction: The CPU uses the system bus to fetch the file’s data from
storage (hard drive) and loads it into RAM for quick access.
4. Processing: The CPU works with the software (like Word) to read the file’s data and prepare it
for display.
5. Output to Screen: The CPU sends the processed data through the system bus to the monitor,
which shows “report.docx” on the screen.
It’s like a relay race: the mouse passes the baton to the CPU, which runs to storage, grabs the
file, and hands it to the screen to finish!