Supercomputer — Questions and answers

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According to Professor Alistair Finch, what was the problem with how early computers handled data?

Choices

  1. They were too noisy and bothered people.
  2. They only worked at night when it was cool.
  3. They processed data one instruction after another, like a single lane on a superhighway. ✓
  4. They needed too much electricity to run.

Answer: They processed data one instruction after another, like a single lane on a superhighway.

From page 2

What was Seymour Cray's main goal when he started building computers?

Choices

  1. To build the cheapest computer possible.
  2. To build the most colorful computer possible.
  3. To build the absolute fastest computer possible. ✓
  4. To build the smallest computer possible.

Answer: To build the absolute fastest computer possible.

From page 4

What important lesson did Seymour Cray learn from building the CDC 6600?

Choices

  1. How to make computers smaller and lighter.
  2. How to make computers more affordable for everyone.
  3. How to manage the intense heat that fast computers create. ✓
  4. How to make computers that could play music.

Answer: How to manage the intense heat that fast computers create.

From page 5

What new way of processing data did Seymour Cray use in the CRAY-1 to make it much faster?

Choices

  1. He made it work by talking to the computer.
  2. He taught it to do vector processing, where it worked on many numbers at the same time. ✓
  3. He made it so it could only do one small calculation at a time.
  4. He designed it to use very quiet components.

Answer: He taught it to do vector processing, where it worked on many numbers at the same time.

From page 6

Why was the CRAY-1 supercomputer designed in a special horseshoe shape?

Choices

  1. Because it looked beautiful like a lucky horseshoe.
  2. To make it easier for people to sit around it.
  3. To make it easier to move from one place to another.
  4. To make the wires inside shorter and speed up how fast signals traveled. ✓

Answer: To make the wires inside shorter and speed up how fast signals traveled.

From page 7

How did the CRAY-1 help scientists predict weather, according to Dr. Tanaka?

Choices

  1. It made the weather forecasts colorful and fun to look at.
  2. It allowed them to simulate weather models with much better detail and speed. ✓
  3. It helped them find new types of clouds.
  4. It told them exactly when it would rain every day.

Answer: It allowed them to simulate weather models with much better detail and speed.

From page 8

What does Mr. Sterling say the supercomputer reminds us about human creativity and problem-solving?

Choices

  1. That computers will always be too expensive.
  2. That the only limits to what we can create are the ones we put on ourselves. ✓
  3. That scientists should stop trying to solve hard problems.
  4. That big computers are always better than small ones.

Answer: That the only limits to what we can create are the ones we put on ourselves.

From page 10