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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why do scientists view quantum particles in terms of probability?
(a) The exact properties of quantum particles are not stable.
(b) The exact properties of quantum particles change.
(c) The exact properties of quantum particles are dynamic.
(d) The exact properties of quantum particles are unknown.

2. How much information does the universe hold?
(a) Approximately 15 trillion bits.
(b) Around 20 to the 100th power bits.
(c) An infinite amount of information.
(d) Around 10 to the 90th power bits.

3. The universe has performed how many "operations"?
(a) 10 to the 100th power "operations."
(b) Over ten trillion "operations."
(c) 10 to the 120th power "operations."
(d) An infinite number of "operations."

4. What was one of the innovative concepts that Dawkins proposed in "The Selfish Gene"?
(a) The extra gene.
(b) The repressive gene.
(c) A meme.
(d) The genome.

5. Why wasn't Shannon able to teach his computer to play a game?
(a) His boss nixed the idea.
(b) It would take to long to teach the machine the game.
(c) He thought he would be seen as non-serious.
(d) He found it wasn't possible.

Short Answer Questions

1. How are memes replicated?

2. What can a computable number be compressed into?

3. What is a fundamental problem in quantum mechanics?

4. What does the word "entropy" describe in relationship to thermodynamics?

5. The elements of DNA come in predictable proportions of what shape?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are examples of memes?

2. What was discovered through the study of thermodynamics about the movement of energy?

3. When was the term "cybernetics" coined and what meaning was attached to it?

4. What was zoologist's Richard Dawkins' theory on DNA?

5. What was Claude Shannon referring to by the term "entropy" and what was its importance?

6. What are major differences between Wikipedia and the Encyclopedia Brittanica?

7. What makes a number "computable?"

8. What was John von Neumann's theory on energy cost and how did Rolf Landauer disprove that concept?

9. Norbert Weiner based his theory on what system of the human body?

10. What comparison does the author make to the famous library at Alexandria?

(see the answer keys)

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