11. Match the parts
1
abacus
a
produced logarithm
J. Napier
b
was independently invented by Isaac
Newton Leibnitz
2
1820
c
built the first analog computer
3
Charles Babbage
d
Mark I, the first digital computer
4
Vannevar Bush
e
built the first digital computer using
vacuum tubes
5
Henry Briggs
f
the use of transistors instead of vacuum
tubes
6
Calculus
g
designed ‘The Analytical Engine’
7
Howard Aiken
h
the first real calculating machine appeared
8
J. Eckert and J. Mayshly
i
was used into the 16th century
9
the second generation of
k
devised a mechanical way of multiplying
computers
and dividing
12. Arrange the words with a similar meaning in pairs:
1.
to calculate
a.
additional
2.
an abacus
b.
machine
3.
extra
c.
decrease
4.
devise
d.
to figure out
5.
reduce
e.
a bead frame
UNIT 2 What is a Computer?
Vocabulary
intricate - сложный
exponentiation- возведение в степень
tiny -
крошечный
to feed- вводить,
подавать
a core - сердечник
a microcomputer -
микрокомпьютер
to manipulate -
управлять
a circuit – цепь, схема
to magnetize -
намагничивать
unfortunately – к
сожалению
to perform - выполнять
dull [dʌl]- скучный,
неинтересный
to supply- снабжать,
поставлять
a routine [ruːˈtiːn]- программа
capability -
возможность
a judgement
[ˈʤʌʤmənt]-
решение
addition -
сложение
instantaneously - мгновенно
[ɪnstənˈteɪnɪəslɪ]
subtraction-
вычитание
remarkable powers- удивительные
свойства
division -
деление
make decisions- принимать
решения
multiplication -
умножение
arrange- расположить
1. Read and translate the text.
A computer is a machine with an intricate network of electronic circuits that
operate switches or magnetize tiny metal cores. The switches, like the cores, are
capable of being in one of two possible states, that is, on or off; magnetized.
The machine is capable of storing and manipulating numbers, letters and
characters.
The basic idea of a computer is that we can make the machine do what we want by
inputting signals that turn certain switches on and turn others off, or that magnetize
or do not magnetize the cores.
The basic job of computers is the processing of information. For this reason,
computers can be defined as devices which accept information in the form of
instructions called a program and characters called data performing mathematical
and logical operations on the information, and then supply results of these
operations.
The program or a part of it, which tells the computers what to do and the data,
which provide the information needed to solve the problem, are kept inside the
computer in a place called memory.
Computers are thought to have many remarkable powers. Most computers, whether
large or small have three basic capabilities.
First, computers have circuits for performing arithmetical operations, such as:
addition, subtraction, division, multiplication and exponentiation. Second,
computers have means of communicating with the user. If we couldn’t feed
information in and get results back these machine wouldn’t be of much use.
However, certain computers (commonly minicomputers and microcomputers) are
used to control directly things such as robots, aircraft navigation systems, medical
instruments, etc. Some of the most common methods of inputting information are
to use terminals, diskettes, disks and magnetic tapes.
The computer’s input device reads the information into the computer. For
outputting information, two common devices are used a printer which prints the
new information on paper, or a cathode-ray tube (CRT) display screen which
shows the results on a TV-like a screen. Third, computers have circuits which can
make decisions. The kinds of decisions which computer circuits can make are not
of the type: ‘Who would win a war between two countries?’ or ‘Who is the richest
person in the world?’ Unfortunately, the computer can only decide three things,
namely:’ Is one number use more often than another? ‘Are two numbers equal?’
and, ‘Is one number greater than another?’
A computer can solve a series of problems and make hundreds even thousands of
logical operations without becoming tired or bored. A computer can replace people
in dull routine, but it works according to the instructions given to it and cannot
exercise value judgements.
A computer cannot do anything unless a person tells it what to do and gives the
appropriate information, but because of electric pulses can move at the speed of
light, a computer can carry out vast numbers of arithmetical-logical operations
almost instantaneously.
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