Machines and computational modelling: Practice Questions

In the Input-Process-Output (IPO) model, which component would a computer monitor be classified as?

A large-scale simulation performs thousands of independent calculations simultaneously to predict weather patterns. Which computational model is most appropriate for this task?

A logistics company is designing a simulation to optimize a fleet of 1,000 autonomous delivery drones. Each drone is programmed with its own set of rules to decide its route based on local weather, battery status, and the proximity of other drones. The goal is to observe how these individual behaviors lead to an efficient delivery network without a central controller.

Which computational model is most appropriate for this simulation, and why?

A temperature control system in a greenhouse reads data from a thermistor, compares the value against a target temperature, and then activates a ventilation fan if the greenhouse is too hot. In the Input-Process-Output (IPO) model, which action constitutes the 'Process' phase?

When comparing multi-agent models to parallel models, which statement best describes their difference in focus?

A high-performance computer uses a parallel computational model to process large datasets. Explain one reason why increasing the number of processor cores might not lead to a linear increase in processing speed.

A high-speed automated toll booth system captures photos of passing cars, uses software to extract the license plate text, and then sends a bill to the registered owner.

a) Within the Input-Process-Output (IPO) model, identify one specific Input and one specific Output for this system.
b) The system is updated to use a parallel computational model instead of a sequential one. Explain the fundamental difference in how instructions are handled in a parallel model compared to a sequential model.