Evolution of Computers — Practice Quiz

John Napier

Step 1: Napier's Bones was a manually operated calculating device. Step 2: It was invented by a Scottish mathematician named John Napier in 1617. Step 3: It was considered the world's first calculator that could multiply, divide, and find square roots. Step 4: Gottfried Leibniz developed the Stepped Reckoner, Blaise Pascal developed Pascaline, and Charles Babbage developed the Analytical Engine. Step 5: Since the device is named after John Napier, the answer is clearly John Napier.

Addition and Subtraction

Step 1: Blaise Pascal invented the Pascaline in 1642. Step 2: This machine was designed to directly perform addition and subtraction. Step 3: Multiplication could also be done indirectly through repeated addition, but the machine was primarily built for addition and subtraction. Step 4: It did NOT directly perform all four operations — that was a feature of the Leibnitz Machine. Step 5: 'Only Addition' is wrong because subtraction was also supported. So the correct answer is Addition and Subtraction.

Transistors

Step 1: Let us match each generation with its technology. Step 2: First Generation (1940–1956) → Vacuum Tubes. Step 3: Second Generation (1956–1963) → Transistors. Step 4: Third Generation (1964–1971) → Integrated Circuits. Step 5: Fourth Generation (1972–2010) → Microprocessors. So the correct answer for the Second Generation is Transistors. With transistors, computers became smaller, faster, and more reliable.

Lady Ada Lovelace Augusta

Step 1: Lady Ada Lovelace Augusta was a disciple (student) of Charles Babbage. Step 2: She worked on the Analytical Engine and helped make it a programmable machine. Step 3: She also developed the concept of the Binary Number System in programming. Step 4: Because of these contributions, she is called the 'First Programmer of the Universe'. Step 5: The programming language ADA was named in her honour. Charles Babbage is the Father of Computer, not the first programmer.