Computer — An Introduction: Exercise Solutions
Use this page alongside the official Samacheer Kalvi textbook. Solve every exercise question on your own first, then check the solutions below.
I. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Q1. Who is the father of Computer?
- (a) Martin Luther King
- (b) Graham Bell
- (c) Charlie Chaplin
- (d) Charles Babbage
Charles Babbage, an English mathematician, designed the Analytical Engine in the 1830s — a mechanical device that is considered the conceptual forerunner of modern computers. He is therefore called the "Father of the Computer."
Q2. Which of the following is another form of computer?
- (a) Blackboard
- (b) Mobile
- (c) Radio
- (d) Book
A mobile phone (smartphone) is essentially a small computer — it has a processor, memory, input (touchscreen), output (display), and can run programs (apps). Blackboards, radios, and books are not computing devices.
Q3. When was the first computer introduced?
- (a) 1980
- (b) 1947
- (c) 1946
- (d) 1985
ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), the first general-purpose electronic computer, was introduced in 1946. It was developed at the University of Pennsylvania.
Q4. Who is the computer's first programmer?
- (a) Lady Wellington
- (b) Augusta Ada Lovelace
- (c) Mary Curie
- (d) Mary Comb
Augusta Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician, wrote algorithms for Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine. She is recognised as the world's first computer programmer. A programming language (Ada) was later named in her honour.
Q5. Pick out the odd one.
- (a) Calculator
- (b) Abacus
- (c) Flash card
- (d) Laptop
A calculator, an abacus, and a laptop are all computing devices — they perform calculations or process data. A flash card is a learning aid used for memorisation and does not perform any computation.
II. Fill in the Blanks
Data is raw, unorganised facts that have not yet been processed. When data is organised and given meaning, it becomes information.
The abacus is considered the world's first general-purpose computing device. It was used for basic arithmetic calculations and originated in ancient Mesopotamia around 3000 BCE.
Information is the result of processing data — organising, analysing, and giving it context so it becomes meaningful.
Fifth-generation computers are designed to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) — they can learn, reason, and make decisions, mimicking human intelligence.
An analog computer uses continuous physical quantities (like electrical voltage, temperature, or mechanical rotation) represented by index numbers to perform calculations. Examples include slide rules and speedometers.
III. True or False (with Corrections)
Q1. Computer is an Electronic device.
A computer is an electronic device that uses electrical signals to process data and produce information.
Q2. Sir Isaac Newton invented Computer.
Correction: Charles Babbage invented the concept of the computer. He designed the Analytical Engine, which laid the foundation for modern computers. Sir Isaac Newton was a physicist and mathematician known for his laws of motion and theory of gravitation.
Q3. Computer can do calculations fast.
Computers can perform millions of calculations per second with high accuracy, which is one of their primary advantages over manual computation.
IV. Match the Following
Match the computer generations with their core technologies:
| # | Column A | Column B | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First generation Computer | a. Artificial Intelligence | c. Vacuum tubes |
| 2 | Second generation Computer | b. Integrated Circuit | d. Transistor |
| 3 | Third generation Computer | c. Vacuum tubes | b. Integrated Circuit |
| 4 | Fourth generation Computer | d. Transistor | e. Microprocessor |
| 5 | Fifth generation Computer | e. Microprocessor | a. Artificial Intelligence |
Explanation of Each Generation
| Generation | Technology | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| First (1940s–1950s) | Vacuum tubes | Large, unreliable, consumed enormous power |
| Second (1950s–1960s) | Transistors | Smaller, more reliable, less power than vacuum tubes |
| Third (1960s–1970s) | Integrated Circuits (ICs) | Multiple transistors on a single chip, faster |
| Fourth (1970s–present) | Microprocessor (VLSI) | Entire CPU on a single chip — personal computers emerged |
| Fifth (present–future) | Artificial Intelligence | Computers that can learn, reason, and make decisions |
V. Short Answer Questions
Q1. What is a computer?
Q2. Who are the pioneers/forerunners of a computer?
- Charles Babbage — Known as the "Father of the Computer." He designed the Difference Engine and the Analytical Engine in the 1830s, which laid the conceptual foundation for modern computers.
- Augusta Ada Lovelace — Known as the "First Computer Programmer." She wrote algorithms for Babbage's Analytical Engine and recognised that computers could go beyond mere calculation.
Together, they are considered the pioneers/forerunners of the computer.
Q3. Write a short note on Data.
Examples of data:
- A list of marks scored by students (data) → Class average and highest score (information)
- A set of temperatures recorded hourly (data) → Weather forecast (information)
Q4. Name any four input devices.
Other input devices include microphone, joystick, touchpad, and barcode reader.
Q5. Differentiate Hardware and Software.
| Feature | Hardware | Software |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Physical components of a computer | Set of instructions or programs |
| Tangibility | Can be seen and touched | Cannot be touched — exists as code |
| Function | Helps the software to work | Runs particular programs and tasks |
| Examples | Keyboard, monitor, mouse, CPU | Windows, Linux, MS Paint, games |
| Damage | Can wear out or break physically | Can get corrupted by viruses or bugs |
| Dependency | Needs software to function | Needs hardware to run on |
Simple rule: If you can touch it, it is hardware. If you can only use it, it is software.
VI. Detailed Answer Questions
Q1. Explain in detail the Applications of Computers.
1. Business and Commerce
Computers are used in textile shops, supermarkets, and shopping malls for billing, inventory management, and online transactions.
2. Banking and Finance
Banks and ATMs use computers to manage accounts, process transactions, and dispense cash. Online banking and digital payments are entirely computer-driven.
3. Education
Computers help students learn through educational software, online courses, and digital libraries. They assist teachers in preparing lessons and conducting assessments.
4. Communication
Emails, video calls, social media, and messaging apps rely on computers and the internet to connect people across the world.
5. Medical Field
Computers are used for diagnosing diseases (CT scans, MRI), maintaining patient records, researching new medicines, and conducting robotic surgeries.
6. Science and Research
Scientists use computers for simulations, data analysis, space exploration (ISRO, NASA), weather forecasting, and genome mapping.
7. Entertainment
Computers are used to draw, paint, play games, watch movies, listen to music, and create animations and special effects.
8. Transport
Railway stations and airports use computers for ticket booking, scheduling, and tracking trains and flights.
9. Data and Information Management
Computers help collect, store, organise, and retrieve large amounts of data and information quickly and accurately.
Additional Questions
I. Fill in the Blanks (Additional)
A smartphone has a processor, memory, operating system, input (touchscreen), and output (display), making it a small computer.
Computers come in various shapes and sizes — desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and wearable devices.
Laptops are portable personal computers with a built-in keyboard and screen. Tablets are touchscreen devices that are even more portable.
II. Short Answers (Additional)
Q1. Mention the two types of software.
Q2. Give any two examples of operating software.
Other examples include macOS, Android, and iOS.
Q3. Mention any two output devices.
Other output devices include speakers, projectors, and headphones.
Key Definitions — Quick Revision
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Computer | An electronic device that processes data to produce meaningful information |
| Data | Raw, unprocessed facts in the form of numbers, alphabets, and images |
| Information | Processed, organised data that has meaning and is useful |
| Hardware | Physical components of a computer that can be seen and touched |
| Software | Set of instructions or programs that tell the hardware what to do |
| Input | Data or instructions entered into the computer for processing |
| Output | The result produced by the computer after processing data |
| Input device | A tool used to send data into the computer (e.g., keyboard, mouse) |
| Output device | A tool used to receive results from the computer (e.g., monitor, printer) |
| Operating software | System software that manages the computer hardware and enables other programs to run |
| Application software | Programs designed to perform specific tasks for users (e.g., paint, games) |
| Abacus | The world's first general-purpose computing device, used for arithmetic |
| Analog computer | A computer that uses continuous physical quantities (index numbers) for calculation |
| Vacuum tube | Technology used in first-generation computers — large, hot, unreliable |
| Transistor | Technology used in second-generation computers — smaller and more reliable |
| Integrated Circuit (IC) | Technology used in third-generation computers — multiple transistors on one chip |
| Microprocessor | Technology used in fourth-generation computers — entire CPU on one chip |
| Artificial Intelligence | Technology expected in fifth-generation computers — machines that think and learn |
Data vs Information — Comparison
| Feature | Data | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Raw, unprocessed facts | Processed, organised data |
| Example | Individual marks: 85, 72, 90, 65 | Class average: 78 marks |
| Usefulness | Little use on its own | Meaningful and useful for decisions |
| Form | Numbers, alphabets, images | Reports, charts, summaries |
| Dependency | Does not depend on information | Depends on data |
Hardware vs Software — Comparison
| Feature | Hardware | Software |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Physical — can be touched | Logical — cannot be touched |
| Function | Processes data and runs software | Instructs hardware what to do |
| Types | Input devices, output devices, CPU, memory | Operating software, application software |
| Examples | Keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer | Windows, Linux, MS Paint, games |
| Durability | Can wear out physically | Does not wear out, but can get corrupted |
| Interdependence | Cannot function without software | Cannot run without hardware |
Input vs Output Devices — Comparison
| Feature | Input Devices | Output Devices |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Send data INTO the computer | Receive results FROM the computer |
| Direction | User → Computer | Computer → User |
| Examples | Keyboard, mouse, scanner, web camera, microphone | Monitor, printer, speaker, projector |
| Form | Data, commands, images, sound | Text, images, sound, video |
Generations of Computers — Summary Table
| Generation | Period | Core Technology | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 1940s–1950s | Vacuum tubes | Very large, high power consumption, unreliable, generated lot of heat |
| Second | 1950s–1960s | Transistors | Smaller, more reliable, less power, less heat |
| Third | 1960s–1970s | Integrated Circuits (ICs) | Even smaller, faster, cheaper, more reliable |
| Fourth | 1970s–present | Microprocessors (VLSI) | Personal computers emerged, very fast, affordable |
| Fifth | Present–future | Artificial Intelligence | Thinking, learning, and decision-making capability |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Confusing data with information. Data is raw and unprocessed (e.g., individual marks). Information is processed and meaningful (e.g., class average). Always state which is which.
2. Saying "Sir Isaac Newton invented the computer." The computer was conceptualised by Charles Babbage. Newton contributed to physics and mathematics, not computing.
3. Calling a flash card a computing device. A flash card is a learning aid for memorisation, not a computing device. Calculator, abacus, and laptop all perform calculations — a flash card does not.
4. Confusing hardware and software. If you can touch it, it is hardware (keyboard, mouse, monitor). If you can only use it as a program, it is software (Windows, games, MS Paint).
5. Mixing up the generations of computers. Remember the order: Vacuum tubes → Transistors → Integrated Circuits → Microprocessors → Artificial Intelligence. A useful mnemonic: Very Talented Indians Make Art (Vacuum tubes, Transistors, ICs, Microprocessors, AI).
6. Listing a mobile phone as "not a computer." A smartphone is a type of computer — it has a processor, memory, operating system, and can run programs. The textbook explicitly states "Mobile is also a computer."
7. Writing "Abacus" for first electronic computer. The Abacus is the first general-purpose computing device (mechanical). The first electronic computer was ENIAC (1946). The question in the textbook asks about general-purpose, so the answer is Abacus — but do not confuse the two.
Exam Checklist
Before your exam, make sure you can:
- [ ] Define computer, data, information, hardware, and software clearly
- [ ] Differentiate between data and information with examples
- [ ] Differentiate between hardware and software with examples
- [ ] Name at least four input devices and two output devices
- [ ] Identify Charles Babbage as the Father of the Computer and Augusta Ada Lovelace as the first programmer
- [ ] State that the first computer was introduced in 1946 (ENIAC)
- [ ] List and explain the five generations of computers with their core technologies
- [ ] Identify mobile/smartphone as a form of computer
- [ ] Explain the two types of software — operating software and application software — with examples
- [ ] Describe at least five applications of computers in different fields
- [ ] Explain what an analog computer is
- [ ] Answer why flash card is the odd one out (it is not a computing device)
- [ ] Correct the statement "Sir Isaac Newton invented the computer" to "Charles Babbage invented the computer"