Chapter 2, Problem 1RQ

Program Plan Intro

Mechanical computation:

• A mechanical device is an adding machine which performs addition and displays the result based on mathematics of gear ratios.
• Mechanical devices can perform complex computational functions using mathematical calculations.
• Mechanical devices speed up tedious repetitive computation tasks that are performed by humans.

Electronic computation:

• The movement of electrons in an electronic computing device performs the same function as the movement of gears and wheels in a mechanical computing device.
• The computational functions performed within an electronic circuit can be determined by mathematical relationships among the components and electron flow.

Optical computation:

• In optical devices, a moving photon’s energy can perform computational work.
• A particle of light known as a photon moves at a high rate of speed.
• Optical discs are used to store large video files.
• Some input/output devices are based on optical technologies and devices.