A Look Inside the Computer Flashcards
What number system do computers use to represent internal information?
Binary numbers.
What is binary, and what digits does it use?
Binary is a base-2 positional numbering system that uses only two digits: 0 and 1.
What electronic component is the foundation of computer hardware?
Transistors, which act as electronic switches (on/off).
What is the base for the decimal numbering system?
Base-10.
How are numbers represented in the decimal system?
By powers of 10, with positions representing ones (100), tens (101), hundreds (102), etc.
What is the base for the binary numbering system?
Base-2.
How are positions represented in the binary system?
As powers of 2, with positions representing ones (20), twos (21), fours (22), etc.
What makes binary representations longer than decimal representations?
Binary uses only two digits, requiring more positions to represent the same value as decimal.
How do you convert a binary number to decimal?
Add the positional values of all columns where there is a “1”.
What is the process for converting a decimal number to binary?
Repeatedly divide the number by 2, record the remainders, and write them in reverse order.
What is a logic gate?
An electronic device that transforms binary inputs into binary outputs based on a specific rule.
Describe the NOT gate’s operation.
A NOT gate inverts the input: if input is true (1), output is false (0), and vice versa.
How does an AND gate work?
Produces true (1) only if both inputs are true (1).
How does an OR gate work?
Produces true (1) if at least one input is true (1).
What are computer circuits composed of?
Collections of logic gates that transform binary inputs into binary outputs.
