Which of these number systems uses the most unique characters?

Question

Responses:

binary

decimal

hexadecimal

None—they all use the same number of characters.

Answer 1

The number system that uses the most unique characters among the options provided is hexadecimal.

Here's a breakdown of each system:

• Binary uses 2 unique characters: 0 and 1.
• Decimal uses 10 unique characters: 0 through 9.
• Hexadecimal uses 16 unique characters: 0 through 9 and A through F (representing values 10 to 15).

Thus, hexadecimal has the most unique characters.

Answer 2

A computer in an advertisement has a 3.64-GHz processor. What does this mean?
Responses

It can download 3.64 gigabits per second.

It can upload 3.64 gigabits per second.

It can convert binary to decimal at the rate of 3.64 trillion numbers per second.

It can execute 3.64 billion instructions per second.

Answer 3

The correct interpretation of a 3.64-GHz processor is that it can execute 3.64 billion instructions per second.

Here's a brief explanation of the terms:

• GHz (gigahertz) is a unit of frequency equal to one billion cycles per second. In the context of a CPU, this refers to the number of instruction cycles it can perform in one second.
• Therefore, a 3.64-GHz processor can execute approximately 3.64 billion instructions in one second under ideal conditions.

Answer 4

Why are hexadecimal values used to represent color in computer programs?
Responses:

They are easier for humans to interpret.

They are easier for computers to interpret.

They are able to represent more colors than binary numbers.

They are able to represent fewer colors than decimal numbers.

Answer 5

The correct response is They are easier for humans to interpret.

Here's the reasoning:

• Human Readability: Hexadecimal values are more compact and easier for humans to read compared to binary. For instance, a binary representation of a color might require 24 bits (e.g., 11111111 00000000 00000000 for red), while its hexadecimal representation is just 0xFF0000. Hexadecimal shorthand reduces the amount of text needed and makes it easier to mentally parse color values.

• Color Representation: In computer graphics, colors are often represented using 24 bits in the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color model. Each color channel (red, green, blue) is represented by 8 bits, which can be conveniently represented as two hexadecimal digits (00 to FF). This allows for a range of 256 values per channel and a total of over 16 million colors.

While hexadecimal does help bridge the gap between binary and human understanding, its primary advantage in this context is its readability for humans, not because it can represent more colors than binary or decimal.

Answer 6

Ning wants to gather data about humidity for a science project. Which of these is needed to gather data?

Responses

binary code

information

an input device

an output device

Answer 7

The correct response is an input device.

Here's the reasoning:

• Input Device: To gather data about humidity, Ning would need a sensor or device specifically designed to measure humidity levels. This could be a hygrometer or a humidity sensor, which would act as an input device by collecting the measurement data.

• Binary Code and Information: While data can be represented using binary code and processed as information, these are not physical devices used to gather data.

• Output Device: An output device, like a monitor or printer, is used to display or present data, but it does not gather data.

Therefore, the appropriate choice for gathering data about humidity is an input device.

Answer 8

A discount store chain has a data breach, which means that a hacker now has the credit card numbers of every customer who shopped at that store in the last month. As a result, customers are angry with the store because they have to respond to credit card fraud, and so sales decrease at the store. Which of the following would have most likely prevented this problem?
Responses:

investing in more bandwidth

investing in faster processors

investing in more mainframes

investing in better security

Answer 9

The correct response is investing in better security.

Here's the reasoning:

• Better Security: The issue presented involves a data breach where customer credit card information was compromised. Investing in better security measures—such as encryption, secure payment processing, regular security audits, and robust cybersecurity protocols—would have likely prevented the breach from happening in the first place.

The other options (more bandwidth, faster processors, and more mainframes) deal with performance and capacity but do not directly address the security vulnerabilities that allowed the hacker to access sensitive customer information.

Answer 10

Which of these statements describes the difference between binary and decimal numbers?
Responses:

Binary numbers are shorter to write than decimal numbers.

Binary numbers use more unique characters than decimal numbers.

Binary numbers use only the digits 0 and 1; decimal numbers use 0 through 9.

Binary numbers are easier for people to read than decimal numbers.

Answer 11

The correct response is Binary numbers use only the digits 0 and 1; decimal numbers use 0 through 9.

Here's a breakdown of the options:

• Binary numbers are shorter to write than decimal numbers: This is not necessarily true, as binary representations can be longer than their decimal counterparts for the same value.

• Binary numbers use more unique characters than decimal numbers: This is incorrect. Binary uses only 2 unique characters (0 and 1) while decimal uses 10 unique characters (0 through 9).

• Binary numbers are easier for people to read than decimal numbers: This is also incorrect. Decimal numbers are generally easier for most people to read and understand as they correspond to our everyday counting system.

Therefore, the statement that accurately describes the difference is that binary numbers use only the digits 0 and 1, while decimal numbers use 0 through 9.