IT2221 Introduction to Computing: History of Computing

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Which early civilization made significant contributions to computing by solving practical problems using their numerical system?

Egyptians (correct)

Greeks

Romans

Mesopotamians

What practical problems were solved by the Egyptians using their numerical system?

Measuring distance and bookkeeping

Measuring time and calculating the land area (correct)

Measuring temperature and calculating taxes

Measuring speed and calculating distance

Which famous Egyptian papyrus includes examples of arithmetic and geometric problems?

Rosetta Stone

Rhind Papyrus (correct)

El-Lahun Papyri

Gebel Barkal Papyrus

What was the purpose of the Rhind Papyrus in the context of early civilizations?

To allow students to participate in the Pharaoh’s building program Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the foundation of computing today, according to the text?

Contributions of early civilizations Signup and view all the answers

What types of activities are considered computing, according to the text?

Any activity that utilizes computers to manage, process, and communicate critical information Signup and view all the answers

What mathematical texts were found and deciphered from the Babylonian civilization?

Tables for basic arithmetic operations Signup and view all the answers

What symbols did the Babylonians use to symbolize numbers in their numerical system?

1 and 10 Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of counting boards in the Babylonian civilization?

To assist with counting and simple calculations Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the works by Pythagoras and Thales in early Greek mathematics?

Geometry Signup and view all the answers

Where did Pythagoras spend time to become familiarized with mathematics?

Egypt Signup and view all the answers

What secret society was established by Pythagoras, comprised of men and women?

The Pythagoreans Signup and view all the answers

What is Pythagoras credited with the foundation of?

Pythagorean theorem Signup and view all the answers

What does Thales' theorem in Euclidean geometry state?

$\angle ACB = 90^\circ$ if A, B, and C are points on a circle, where the line AC is the circle's diameter. Signup and view all the answers

What did counting boards in the Babylonian civilization have that allowed beads to be placed at any point of the groove?

Grooves made of wood Signup and view all the answers

How did the abacus differ from the counting board in the Babylonian civilization?

The beads in an abacus have holes that enable them to be placed in a specific rod of the abacus. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the rise of technological change and innovation in the last decades?

It has brought immense benefits to society and improved the standard of living. Signup and view all the answers

What is the foundation of computing today, according to the text?

Early civilizations' contributions to computing Signup and view all the answers

What were some practical problems solved by the Egyptians using their numerical system?

Measuring time, floods, land area, bookkeeping, and taxes Signup and view all the answers

What type of activity is considered computing, according to the text?

Any activity that utilizes computers to manage, process, and communicate critical information Signup and view all the answers

What was included in the Rhind Papyrus, a famous Egyptian papyrus?

Examples of all types of arithmetic and geometric problems Signup and view all the answers

What was the numerical system used by the Egyptians based on?

Base 10 number system with distinct symbols for different magnitudes Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the counting boards in the Babylonian civilization?

To assist with counting and simple calculations Signup and view all the answers

What did the Babylonians use to symbolize numbers in their numerical system?

Two symbols (1 and 10) Signup and view all the answers

What was Thales’ best contribution to mathematics according to the text?

Thales' theorem in Euclidean geometry Signup and view all the answers

What did the Greeks believe in, according to the text?

Number as the essence of all things Signup and view all the answers

What is Pythagoras credited with according to the text?

Foundation of Pythagorean theorem Signup and view all the answers

What was the main focus of Pythagoras and Thales in early Greek mathematics?