IBDP Computer Science Topic 2: Computer Organization

1. (a) Identify one fundamental operation of a computer. [1](N19)

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(b) Distinguish between fundamental and compound operations of a computer. [2]

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2. (a) State the function of the control unit (CU) in the central processing unit (CPU). [1]
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(b) Explain the purpose of cache memory. [3]
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3. Colours are represented by a computer as a combination of the three primary
colours: red, green and blue.
Numerical values are used to represent the different shades of each primary colour.
These values range from 0 to 255 in decimal, or 00 to FF in hexadecimal.
a. State why hexadecimal numbers are frequently used in computing. [1]

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b. State the number of bits used to represent a non-primary colour, such as yellow.
[1]

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IBDP Computer Science Topic 2: Computer Organization

c. State the maximum number of colours that can be represented in a computer

pixel. [1]

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4. Copy and complete the following truth table where:

X = A XOR B
Y = A NOR C
Z = X OR NOT Y

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5. Calculate, showing your working in each case(M22)

a. the binary (base 2) value of the denary (base 10) number: 105 [2]

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b. the hexadecimal (base 16) value of the denary (base 10) number: 200 [2]

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IBDP Computer Science Topic 2: Computer Organization

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6. Identify one function of a single-user operating system. [1]

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7. Explain how cache memory affects system performance. [3]
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8. Draw the logic circuit represented by the following truth table. [2](M21)

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9. a. Identify two reasons why patches may be necessary for an operating system. [2]
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IBDP Computer Science Topic 2: Computer Organization

b. Identify two methods that can be used to obtain these patches. [2]

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10. Calculate the denary (base 10) equivalent of the hexadecimal number BF. [2]
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11. Construct the truth table for the following logic circuit: [4]

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12. The machine instruction cycle is a sequence of actions that a central processing unit
(CPU) performs to execute each machine code instruction in a program. (N20)
a. State where the program is held. [1]

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IBDP Computer Science Topic 2: Computer Organization

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b. State the part of the central processing unit (CPU) that performs the decoding. [1]

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c. Outline the function of the memory address register (MAR). [2]

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13. Construct a truth table for the following logical expression. [4]

(A xor B) and not C

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14. Define the term peripheral. [1] (M19)

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15. Identify two features of a graphical user interface (GUI). [2]
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IBDP Computer Science Topic 2: Computer Organization

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16. State the hexadecimal equivalent of the following binary number: 11011111
[1]
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17. Construct the truth table from the following logic circuit.

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18. Outline the purpose of the memory address register (MAR) in the central processing
unit (CPU). [2]
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19. State the part of the central processing unit (CPU) that is responsible for carrying out
calculations. [1]
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IBDP Computer Science Topic 2: Computer Organization

20. Compilers translate source code into object code. Identify two other operations
performed by a compiler. [2]
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21. Construct a logic diagram for the following expression. [3]

not A or (A and B)

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22. Outline the role of the memory data register in the machine execution cycle. [2]
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23. Calculate how many different colours can be represented using two hexadecimal
characters. [2]
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24. Explain the importance of the memory management function of an operating system.
[3]
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IBDP Computer Science Topic 2: Computer Organization

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25. Two fundamental operations of a computer are add and retrieve. State another two
fundamental operations. [2]
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26. Copy and complete the following truth table. [3]

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27. Construct a logic diagram for the Boolean expression. [3]

NOT A OR B AND C.

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28. Explain why cache memory can speed up the processing within a computer. [2]

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IBDP Computer Science Topic 2: Computer Organization

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29. One of the functions of an operating system is memory management. Describe how
this function prevents the system from crashing when more than one program is run
at the same time. [2]

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30.

a. Construct the truth table corresponding to this diagram. [3]

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b. Identify the single logic gate that is equivalent to this diagram. [1]

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IBDP Computer Science Topic 2: Computer Organization

c. Outline how truth tables can be used to test that any two logic diagrams are
equivalent. [2]

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Section B
31. a. Distinguish between random access memory (RAM) and read only memory
(ROM). [3]
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(ii) Outline the function of an operating system in managing primary memory. [2]

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b. Explain the roles of the data bus and the address bus in the machine instruction
cycle. [4]

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IBDP Computer Science Topic 2: Computer Organization

c. (i) State how the data stored in the following byte will be represented in
hexadecimal. [1]
01011110

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(ii) State how many integers could be represented in this byte. [1]

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(iii) Outline why this byte could not be used to represent characters such as those
used in Chinese. [2]

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d. Construct a truth table with two input variables. If the input variables are equal the
value of the output variable should be True, otherwise it should be False. [2]

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