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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is a bit?

2. How were phonetic sounds represented in language?

3. What was the small device intended to replace bulky vacuum tubes perfected by Bell Laboratories called?

4. What jobs were created to handle the increasing number of telephone calls?

5. Prior to the electric telegraph, an invention by the same name was created by Claude Chappe and his brothers during what conflict?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who was Claude Shannon?

2. Why did Ada Lovelace publish her mathematical arguments anonymously?

3. How was binary code of 0s and 1s which is the foundation for computing first conceived and by whom?

4. What was the purpose behind the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary?

5. What are the two "wordbooks" that Gleick refers to in this chapter?

6. What innovation was made in the 17th century by Scot mathematician John Napier?

7. After the use of pictures, what were the next two stages of language development?

8. Who developed the Principia Mathematica and what did it provide?

9. What were the two stages of a "bit" as conceived by Claude Shannon?

10. While working on plans for this "analytical engine," Babbage struck an acquaintance with what young woman?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What are some of the highlights of Claude Shannon's work on what he termed "information theory"? How did Shannon come to the conclusion that information needed to be separated into "bits" for the most effective transfer of information?

Essay Topic 2

Explain in detail the drum communications methods of the sub-Saharan African tribes and how it relates to the Morse Code. What analysis was made of the Kele language and why was it important in understanding the transferring of information?

Essay Topic 3

What advanced machine did Charles Babbage envision that would be superior to his difference engine? What was Babbage's relationship with Ada Lovelace? Why was she reluctant to be public about her skills in mathematics? How did Babbage encourage her?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 646 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample