Module 1: Introduction to IT

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In this post, I provide complete, accurate, and detailed explanations for the answers to Module 1: Introduction to IT of Course 1: Technical Support Fundamentals – Google IT Support Professional Certificate

Whether you’re preparing for quizzes or brushing up on your knowledge, these insights will help you master the concepts effectively. Let’s dive into the correct answers and detailed explanations for each question!

Binary

Practice Quiz

1. How many possible values can we have with the 8 bits in a byte?

  • 127
  • 8
  • 256 ✅
  • 144

Explanation:
Each bit in a byte can be either 0 or 1. Since there are 8 bits, the total number of possible values is 2^8=256

This includes values from 0 to 255 (256 total).

2. What is the highest decimal value a byte can represent?

  • 1
  • 255 ✅
  • 256
  • Any number

Explanation:
A byte consists of 8 bits. The highest possible value is when all 8 bits are set to 1:
11111111 (binary) = 255 (decimal)
So, the maximum value a byte can hold is 255, ranging from 0 to 255.

3. Why did UTF-8 replace the ASCII character-encoding standard?

  • UTF-8 can store a character in more than one byte. ✅
  • UTF-8 only uses 128 values.
  • ASCII can store a character in more than one byte.
  • ASCII can store emojis.

Explanation:
ASCII uses only 7 bits, allowing 128 characters (0-127). This was limiting because it couldn’t represent characters from different languages.
UTF-8 is more flexible because it uses 1 to 4 bytes per character, allowing it to represent a much larger set of characters, including emojis.

4. What is 10101010 in decimal format? Please use this Binary Table to find the answer.

  • 200
  • 48
  • 160
  • 170 ✅

Explanation:
To convert 10101010 (binary) to decimal, use the Binary Table:

1(128)+0(64)+1(32)+0(16)+1(8)+0(4)+1(2)+0(1)1(128) + 0(64) + 1(32) + 0(16) + 1(8) + 0(4) + 1(2) + 0(1) 128+32+8+2=170128 + 32 + 8 + 2 = 170

5. What is 45 in binary form? Please use this Binary Table to find the answer.

  • 10000010
  • 01001001
  • 00101101 ✅
  • 00111011

Explanation:
Convert 45 (decimal) to binary using the Binary Table:

45=32+8+4+145 = 32 + 8 + 4 + 1

This gives 00101101 in binary.

Computer Architecture

Practice Quiz

6. What does the hardware layer in computer architecture include?

  • Software applications
  • Operating system
  • The physical components of a computer ✅
  • How the computer is maintained, operated, and programmed

Explanation:
The hardware layer refers to the tangible, physical parts of a computer, such as the CPU, RAM, hard drive, motherboard, and other electronic components.

  • Software applications and the operating system are part of higher layers, not the hardware layer.
  • Maintenance, operation, and programming are related to system management, not the hardware itself.

7. What are the four main layers of computer architecture?

  • Binary, Hardware, Operating System, Software
  • Hardware, Windows, Software, User
  • Computer, Operating System, Software, User
  • Hardware, Operating System, Software, User ✅

Explanation:
The four layers of computer architecture are:

  1. Hardware – The physical components (CPU, memory, storage, etc.).
  2. Operating System – Manages hardware and provides system resources.
  3. Software – Applications that run on the OS, such as browsers and productivity tools.
  4. User – The person interacting with the system.

The other options either list incorrect layers (e.g., Binary, Windows, or Computer) or mix different concepts.

8. What is the purpose of the software layer in computer architecture?

  • It operates, maintains, and programs the computer.
  • It is the physical components of a computer.
  • It allows hardware to communicate with the system.
  • It allows humans to interact with computers. ✅

Explanation:
The software layer includes applications and programs that allow users to interact with the computer and perform tasks.

  • It does not directly operate or maintain the computer (that’s the OS’s role).
  • It is not the physical hardware.
  • The communication between hardware and the system is handled more by the OS and drivers, not software applications.

9. What’s a critical aspect of working as an IT support professional?

  • Building computers
  • Understanding how operating systems work
  • The human element ✅
  • Designing and creating complex programs

Explanation:
While technical skills are important, IT support is heavily focused on helping people troubleshoot problems and use technology effectively.

  • Building computers and designing programs are not primary IT support tasks.
  • Understanding operating systems is useful but not the most critical aspect—good communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills are key.

Module 1 challenge: Introduction to IT and Computing

Graded Assignment

10. Fill in the blank: ___ is the use of digital technology like computers and the internet to store and process data into useful information.

  • Computer engineering
  • Technical support
  • Information technology ✅
  • Computer hardware

Explanation:
Information technology (IT) refers to the use of digital technology (computers, the internet, and software) to store, process, and manage data into useful information.

11. What is a computer? Select the best answer.

  • A device that uses bits to display information to a user.
  • A machine that can store and display images and graphics.
  • A machine can connect to the internet.
  • A device that stores and processes data by performing calculations. ✅

Explanation:
A computer is a machine that processes data by performing calculations and executing instructions.

  • It may display images or connect to the internet, but those are secondary functions.

12. Which of these devices were used to store data in computers in the past but typically are no longer used? Select all that apply.

  • Punch cards ✅
  • Floppy disks ✅
  • Hard disk drives
  • Transistors

Explanation:

  • Punch cards and floppy disks were used in older computer systems to store data but are now obsolete.
  • Hard disk drives (HDDs) are still widely used today.
  • Transistors are a core component of computer processors, not a storage device.

13. Fill in the blank: There are ___ bits in a byte.

  • 4
  • 8 ✅
  • 2
  • 10

Explanation:
There are 8 bits in a byte. A bit (binary digit) is the smallest unit of data, and 8 bits form a byte, which is commonly used in computing.

14. Fill in the blank: ___ is a prevalent encoding standard that allows characters to be encoded with a variable number of bytes.

  • ASCII
  • Emoticon
  • UTF-8 ✅
  • RGB

Explanation:
UTF-8 is a widely used character encoding standard that can store characters using a variable number of bytes. It supports many languages and special characters.

  • ASCII only uses one byte (8 bits) per character and supports only English characters.

15. Fill in the blank: In a binary system, an electrical signal indicates a value of ___.

  • 2
  • 10
  • 1 ✅
  • 0

Explanation:
The binary system is based on two values:

  • 1 (ON, presence of an electrical signal)
  • 0 (OFF, absence of an electrical signal)

Binary does not have the value “2” or “10” as part of its system—it’s strictly 0s and 1s.

16. Use the following binary conversion table to convert the decimal value 142 into binary format.

  • 01100110
  • 10001010
  • 10001110 ✅
  • 10011100

Explanation:
Using the Binary Conversion Table, we convert 142 into binary:

  • 128 (ON)
  • 64 (OFF)
  • 32 (ON)
  • 16 (OFF)
  • 8 (ON)
  • 4 (ON)
  • 2 (OFF)
  • 1 (OFF)

Binary Representation: 10001110

17. Use the following binary conversion table to convert the byte 10111001 into a decimal value.

  • 185
  • 159
  • 188
  • 214

Explanation:
Using the Binary Conversion Table, we calculate:
10111001 → (128 + 32 + 16 + 8 + 1) = 185

18. Use the following binary conversion table to convert the byte 10001001 into a decimal value.

  • 137 ✅
  • 136
  • 145
  • 129

Explanation:
Using the Binary Conversion Table:
10001001 → (128 + 8 + 1) = 137

19. What do we mean when we say “under the hood.”

  • “Under the hood” refers to the specific, complex details of an implementation. ✅
  • “Under the hood” refers to a car engine.
  • “Under the hood” refers to hiding the complexity of a concept.
  • “Under the hood” refers to abstracting a concept to make it easier to understand.

Explanation:
The phrase “under the hood” is commonly used in tech and programming to describe the deeper workings of a system or implementation that may not be visible to the user.

20. Which of these tasks may be part of an IT support specialist role? Select all that apply.

  • Ensure that an organization’s technological equipment is running smoothly. ✅
  • Communicate with technology users to understand their challenges and needs. ✅
  • Fix or troubleshoot problems related to technological equipment. ✅
  • Implement security to make sure your organization’s systems are safe. ✅

Explanation:
An IT support specialist ensures that hardware, software, and networks function properly. Their job includes troubleshooting technical issues, assisting users, and implementing security measures to protect data.

21. Fill in the blank: A(n) ____ is a device that stores and processes data by performing calculations.

  • analytical engine
  • computer ✅
  • punch card
  • difference engine

Explanation:
A computer is an electronic device that processes data by performing calculations. Unlike early computing machines like the Analytical Engine or Difference Engine, modern computers use digital electronics to process and store data.

22. What advancement made learning programming languages accessible to nearly anyone?

  • Compilers ✅
  • Binary
  • Machine code
  • Microprocessors

Explanation:
Compilers translate high-level programming languages (like Python, Java, or C++) into machine code, which computers can execute. Before compilers, programmers had to write machine code or assembly language, which was much harder to understand.

23. Fill in the blank: Transistors are the physical components used to implement ___, which are how computers do complex tasks with binary operations.

  • Logical operators
  • Levels
  • Switches
  • Logic gates ✅

Explanation:
Transistors are tiny switches that can be ON (1) or OFF (0), which form the basis of logic gates. Logic gates perform Boolean operations like AND, OR, and NOT, allowing computers to process data and perform calculations.

24. Use the following binary conversion table to convert the decimal value 123 into binary format.

  • 01111011 ✅
  • 00111011
  • 00011001
  • 11001100

Explanation:
To convert 123 to binary, break it down using powers of 2:

Decimal Value1286432168421
Binary Value01111011

Thus, 123 in binary is 01111011.

25. Use the following binary conversion table to convert the byte 10011001 into a decimal value.

  • 152
  • 161
  • 153 ✅
  • 143

Explanation:
To convert 10011001 to decimal:

Binary10011001
Decimal1286432168421
Value12800168001

Sum: 128 + 16 + 8 + 1 = 153.

26. Why is abstraction helpful when working with computers?

  • Abstraction takes a relatively complex system and breaks it apart into simpler ideas to make it easier to think about. ✅
  • Abstraction takes a simple system and describes it in detail.
  • Abstraction takes a relatively complex system and describes each part of the system in detail to improve your understanding.
  • Abstraction explains each concept that’s “under the hood.”

Explanation:
Abstraction helps in understanding complex systems by hiding unnecessary details and focusing on the bigger picture. Examples of abstraction in computing include:

  • Programming languages (hide machine-level details)
  • Operating systems (manage hardware resources)
  • User interfaces (hide complex backend processes)

27. Which of the following roles are typically considered part of IT? Select all that apply.

  • Network engineer ✅
  • Hardware technician ✅
  • Desktop support personnel ✅
  • Business analyst

Explanation:
Network engineers, hardware technicians, and desktop support personnel are core IT roles responsible for managing and maintaining technology infrastructure. Network engineers handle networking and connectivity, hardware technicians manage physical components, and desktop support personnel troubleshoot software and hardware issues. Business analysts, however, focus more on business strategy rather than IT-specific functions.

28. Use the following binary conversion table to convert the decimal value 97 into binary format.

  • 01100001 ✅
  • 01011101
  • 01101101
  • 01001101

Explanation:
To convert 97 into binary:

  • 97 in decimal = (1 × 64) + (1 × 32) + (0 × 16) + (0 × 8) + (0 × 4) + (0 × 2) + (1 × 1)
  • Binary representation: 01100001

29. Use the following binary conversion table to convert the byte 00011001 into a decimal value.

  • 25 ✅
  • 18
  • 28
  • 24

Explanation:
Binary to decimal conversion:

  • (0 × 128) + (0 × 64) + (0 × 32) + (1 × 16) + (1 × 8) + (0 × 4) + (0 × 2) + (1 × 1)
  • 16 + 8 + 1 = 25

30. Use the following binary conversion table to convert the byte 00000000 into a decimal value.

  • 256
  • 1
  • 0
  • 255 ✅

Explanation:
Binary to decimal conversion:

  • Since all bits are 0, the decimal value is 0.
  • This represents an empty or null state in many computing applications.

31. Which of these things were designed to facilitate abstraction? Select all that apply.

  • Logic gates
  • An error message from your computer’s browser ✅
  • A car steering wheel ✅
  • A textbook

Explanation:
Abstraction simplifies complex processes by hiding unnecessary details.

  • An error message provides a simplified explanation of an issue rather than showing raw system errors.
  • A car steering wheel allows drivers to control a car without needing to understand its mechanical complexities.
  • Logic gates and textbooks do not primarily serve as abstraction tools in the same way.

Related contents:

Module 2: Hardware
Module 3: Operating System
Module 4: Networking
Module 5: Software
Module 6: Troubleshooting

You might also like:

Course 2: The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
Course 3: Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User
Course 4: System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services
Course 5: IT Security: Defense against the digital dark arts

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