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WorksheetsEarly Computing
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
What was the earliest recognized device for computing?
a)
papyrus tables
b)
the abacus
c)
the astrolabe
d)
the slide rule
2.
Where and when was the abacus invented?
a)
in Egypt around 5000 BCE
b)
in Europe around 250 BCE
c)
in Mesopotamia around 2500 BCE
d)
in Africa around 500 BCE
3.
On this abacus, with rows representing powers of ten, what number is shown?
a)
2,512
b)
1,521
c)
1,251
d)
5,121
4.
Which device enabled sailors to calculate their latitude at sea?
a)
an astrolabe
b)
a slide rule
c)
an abacus
d)
a difference engine
5.
The earliest documented use of the word “computer” is from a book written in the year ___
a)
1183
b)
1392
c)
1613
d)
1984
6.
In the early days, a "computer" was ___
a)
any new tool that aided calculations
b)
a person who did calculations
c)
a series of step reckoners
d)
a device for storing data
7.
The gear-based calculating device, built by Gottfried Leibniz in 1694, was known as ___
a)
the step reckoner
b)
the astrolabe
c)
the slide rule
d)
the difference engine
8.
The step reckoner was so successful it was used as a calculator design for ___
a)
the next three decades
b)
the next six decades
c)
the next three centuries
d)
the next six centuries
9.
Before the 20th century, most people experienced computing through ___
a)
books and magazines
b)
pre-computed tables
c)
science fiction
d)
punched cards
10.
Militaries were among the first to apply computing to complex problems, such as ___
a)
determining quantities of explosives
b)
calculating range tables
c)
modelling cannon shapes
d)
performing combustion analysis
11.
In 1822, Charles Babbage proposed a mechanical device called ___
a)
the step reckoner
b)
the difference reckoner
c)
the difference engine
d)
the step engine
12.
Unlike all other computational devices before it, the Analytical Engine was a ___
a)
“multi-user computer”
b)
“electro-mechanical computer”
c)
“general purpose computer”
d)
“networked computer”
13.
Which English mathematician is often considered the world’s first programmer?
a)
Ada Lovelace
b)
Cindy Babbage
c)
Grace Hopper
d)
Emma Noether
14.
The Analytical Engine would inspire, arguably, the first generation of ___
a)
computer scientists
b)
computer hobbyists
c)
census analysts
d)
video game programmers
15.
Which English polymath is often considered the "father of computing"?
a)
Bertrand Russell
b)
Gottfried Leibniz
c)
Sir Isaac Newton
d)
Charles Babbage
16.
Herman Hollerith's “electro-mechanical” tabulating machine was used during the census of ___
a)
1860
b)
1890
c)
1960
d)
1990
17.
Hollerith’s machine stored data on a series of ___
a)
magnetic tapes
b)
punched cards
c)
hard drives
d)
floppy disks
18.
Hollerith’s machine was much faster than manual tabulations, and the Census was completed in just ___
a)
two and a half months
b)
seven years
c)
two and a half years
d)
seven years
19.
To meet demand for his tabulating machines, Hollerith founded ___
a)
Dell Computer Company
b)
Compaq Computers
c)
The Tabulating Machine Company
d)
The U.S. Census Bureau
20.
In 1924, several machine companies merged to become IBM, The ___ Corporation
a)
Industrial Business Machines
b)
International Business Machines
c)
Industrial Babbage Machines
d)
International Babbage Machines
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