Year 10 IST Notes 2013

1. AI, SIMULATION AND MODELLING

MODEL & SIMULATION
Identify the benefits of creating a model
Gain a better understanding of the object
Provide an in-depth understanding of the way an object looks/works.
Explain the relationship between creating a model and a simulation
Simulation is the process of imitating real-life occurrences in order to test a model. The simulation puts the
model to the test.
Identify the main purpose of a model
The main purpose of a model is to allow us to establish an understanding of an object or an idea.
Identify the main purpose of a simulation
The main purpose of a simulation is to test a model in order to predict how the real object or idea will react
under different conditions.
What are the benefits of using computers for modelling and simulation?
Less time-consuming and involves less expense and risk than using the real thing.











INTRODUCTION TO SPREADSHEETS
Purposes of modelling and simulations
Purpose Explanation Example
Training Simulation of situations and events
related to specific tasks
Driving simulator to teach
car-handling techniques
Scientific or other
research
Simulation of a scientific
phenomenon for close study,
particularly where it may be
unethical to use animal subjects
A volcanic eruption or the
study of DNA
Simulated space
exploration to other solar
systems.
Medicine Simulation of an event related to
medical procedures
A heart bypass operation.
Entertainment Political, business, adventure and
arcade games
Game related to an alien
invasion
Business/industry Simulation allowing closer study of
future trends and possible actions
A new assembly-line
process or the design for
a nuclear reactor
Geography/ecology Simulation demonstrating effects
of climatic changes
Greenhouse effects and
population trends
Weather
forecasting
Simulations of weather patterns
and related factors
Effects of excessive rain
on a mountain range
Education Wide range of situations may be
studied in the classroom
Dissection of animals
using a computer
program to simulate the
process
Outline the advantages of electronic spreadsheets over manual methods.
Electronic spreadsheets have five advantages over manual spreadsheets:
Ease of calculation; numerical calculations can be performed quickly and accurately
Ease of editing data; mistakes can be corrected before printing, and data can be moved and
copied
Recalculation; if one item of data is changed, all other data that depends on it is
recalculated, which allows users to try out different what if? options
Ease of storage; large amounts of data can be stored and retrieved as required
Display options; data can be presented in many different ways using tables and charts.
How are rows and columns named in a spreadsheet?
Rows are usually numbered 1,2,3,4 and so on, while columns are often named in alphabetic terms;
A, B, C, up to Z; then AA, AB, AC up to AZ; then BA,BB, and so on.
Describe the three main types of data in a spreadsheet.
A label is text entered into a cell to explain part of the spreadsheet. This data is not used in
carrying out calculations. Labels are used for the headings of rows and columns
Values are numbers stored in a spreadsheet. This data is used in carrying out calculations.
Formulas are instructions to perform a calculation. The answer to the calculation appears
in the cell that contains the formula; the formula itself is not shown. The user can create
formula or select form predefined functions.
Describe some of the planning that should take place before data is entered into a spreadsheet.
Time should be spent planning the spreadsheet before any data is entered. The user should ask
them:
How is the spreadsheet going to solve the problem?
What data needs to be entered?
How will I obtain the data?
What will be the headings and titles?
How will the numbers look?
What is the relationship between the items of data?
Does it require a calculation? What formulas are to be used? What results are required?
What is the simplest way to edit data in a cell?
The simplest way to edit data in a cell is to highlight the cell and make the changes in the formula
bar. The new data will replace the old data after pressing the Enter key.
List four identifiable areas of a well-designed spreadsheet.
The instruction area contains information about the spreadsheet or directions for use of use
of the spreadsheet. It is usually at the top of the spreadsheet and includes a title, a
description, names of the authors, and the date. Larger spreadsheets include a brief outline
of the structure, directions and parameters. A parameter is an input value that determines
the information produced by the spreadsheet.
The input area contains labels for headings and values on which calculations are based. The
format of values and labels is often completed after the data has been entered. For example,
when entering money values there is no need to include the $ sign as this will happen
automatically if the values are formatted as currency.
The calculation area contains formulas and functions that complete the work of the
spreadsheet. The calculation area is the heart of a spreadsheet.
The output area displays the result of the spreadsheet. In many spreadsheets the output area
and the calculation area are the same.
Using the following words, label the numbered parts of the spreadsheet.
FORMULAS
What gives spreadsheets their real power? Formulas give spreadsheets their real power.
What is cell referencing? A formula refers to a cell using a cell reference, such as A2.
What is a circular reference?
If a formula refers to itself, either directly or indirectly it is called a circular reference. For
example, if the contents of cell B4 was =B4+1, this is a circular reference. It will result in an
endless loop and an error message will be displayed.
List three different types of operators.
Arithmetic, eg, addtition
Relational, eg, equal to
Text, eg, & text joining
Explain the difference between Absolute and Relative referencing.
Absolute referencing (or absolute addressing) means that the cell references in a formula do not
change if the formula is copied or moved. The formula is copied exactly, with the cell references
remaining the same. Relative referencing (or relative addressing) allows you to copy the
mathematical processes in a formula while changing the cell references so that they relate to the new
destination cell. Relative referencing is the default option, so no special symbol is required.
When would an absolute cell reference be used?
When you are reformatting a document and you need to use a formula in a different location but
using the same cell references.
How is the cell address written to show absolute reference?
The $ sign is used to indicate an absolute cell reference.

List 4 functions found in spreadsheets.
SUM: adds up all values in a list
AVERAGE: average of its arguments
MODE: most common value
CHARTS
Why would you create a chart?
A chart is a graphical representation of numerical data. By representing the data graphically,
charts make it much easier to understand. Charts show trends in the data and allow comparisons to
be made quickly. Charts are also more inviting to look at than a large chunk of text or numbers.
Outline the steps needed to create a chart.
Select the data to be charted. A chart must include data from more than one row or column.
Non-adjacent rows or columns can be selected.
Choose the appropriate chart type. The user can choose the chart type that presents the data
most clearly and effectively.
Specify the data for the axes.
Insert appropriate titles. A chart title describes the information within the chart while an axis
title identifies an axis.
Insert text to make the chart easier to understand.

How are axes used on a chart?
Axes are the lines that border the chart data. They provide a frame of reference for comparisons.
The X-axis is the horizontal line and the Y-axis is the vertical line.
Distinguish between a data label and a legend.
Data labels are additional text that provides more information about the data. A legend is a key that
explains the patterns, colours or symbols associated with the chart data.
Describe four different chart types
A bar chart presents data in horizontal rectangles.
A column chart presents data in vertical rectangles.
A line chart presents data by joining adjacent values with a line.
A pie chart presents data as sectors of a circle.
What is shown in a pie chart?
A pie chart shows the relationship or proportions of parts to a whole. Pie charts appeal to people
because they are easy to read and are attractive.

2. DIGITAL MEDIA
What is digital media?
Digital media is a form of electronic means of communication where data is stored in digital form.
What is the purpose of digital media?
The purpose of digital media is to entertain and inform people. Businesses also advertise with digital
media. For example, the news, tv, the internet has allowed us to access more information.
List the advantages and disadvantages of digital media.
Advantages Disadvantages
- speed and convenience - limited bit rate
- high quality audio and video - Unexpected crashes, data loss
- more efficient - Live broadcast do not have such
good quality
- Page needs to be refreshed
constantly to allow

List the areas that have been influenced by digital media and provide an example for each area?
The areas that have been influenced by digital media include:
- art,
- education
- advertising
- social media
BIT MAPPED AND VECTOR GRAPHICS
Bit mapped graphics- treats each pixel (dot) on the screen individually and represents this by bits in
memory. Bit map graphics are created by painting programs. They are suitable for realistic illustrations and
photographs.
Vector graphics- made up of objects such as straight lines, curves or shapes. Each object is defined by its
characteristics, such as position, line width, and pattern. Stored as mathematical expressions and are
displayed on the screen as pixels. Created by drawing programs. They are scalable (resize without reducing
its quality and lines will appear smooth. They are suitable for line drawings, lego and diagrams that do not
use much shading.
Characteristics of vector and bit-mapped graphics
Graphic type How it works File size Image
degradation
possible?
Resolution
Dependent?
Vector
Mathematical
formulas
precisely locate
and connect
geometric
objects and
segments
Usually small No No
Bit-mapped
Breaks pieces of
an image into a
grid made up of
pixels
Usually large Yes Yes

GRAPHICS
Digital media products are made up of 6 data types:
Text
Hypertext
Graphics
Audio
Video
Animation
A graphic is a picture such as a drawing, painting or photograph.
Three main reasons for using a graphic:
1. Displaying information- the only effective method of presenting information e.g. an X-Ray
2. Ease of understanding- A picture is worth a thousand words convey a message effectively that
text.
3. Visual interest- make a document more attractive, keeps readers interest
All computer graphics when displayed on screen are made up of tiny dots called pixels. Pixels are the
smallest part of the screen controlled by the computer. It depends on the type of screen you are using
and its resolution. The more pixels in an image, the higher the resolution and the more detailed the
picture.
Bit depth measures how many bits are dedicated to each pixel, or how much information is available to
display and print each pixel.
Number of bits 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Number of
colour values
2
9
2
8
2
7
2
6
2
5
2
4
2
3
2
2
2
1
512 256 128 64 32 16 8 4 2

Example 3:
What is the file size of a colour graphic with a resolution of 1600 x 1200 and 4 colours each with 4 tones?
Remember 4 colours x 4 tones for each colour = 16 which will require 4 bits
File size = 1600 x 1200 x 4 = 7 680 000 bits =960 000 bytes
= 937.5 kb
Complete the table
Resolution Number of
colours
Number of
tones
Bits required File size
800 x 600 --- 2 1 58.59 kb
1024 x 768 --- 16 4 384 kb
1600 x 1200 4 4 4 937.5 kb
1280 x 1024 4 ---
640 x 480 256 ---
1024 x 768 32 8
800 x 600 4096 16

FILE TYPES
Data Type File extension Description Use
Text .txt (ASCII)

.html


.rtf
Raw unformatted text

Text marked up with tags so that it
can display data

Rich text format- text that includes
formatting instructions
All multimedia

Web pages


All multimedia
Images .gif



.jpeg or .jpg




.tif

.png

.wmf
Compressed (lossless) bitmapped
graphics supporting 256 colours,
transparency and animation

Compressed (lossy) bitmapped
graphics supporting over 16 million
Tagged image file format, some of
which use compression

Portable network graphics

Windows metafile format often used
for vector graphics
Web pages and other
multimedia


Web pages needing
good quality
photographs
Most multimedia will
support TIF except
the web

Web pages

Most multimedia
except the web

DIGITAL DATA
Analogue data reaches up in a continuous line or wave e.g. sound wave
Digital data comes only in fixed quantities or values. The computer is a 2 state device that uses only
2digits- 0 and 1. Special feature of a digital system and are referred to as the binary system. 0= off 1= on
Byte a group of 8 bits. Basic unit of measurement for digital data.
Unit Symbol Meaning Approximate
value(bytes)
Exact value (bytes)
byte b 1 1
Kilobyte Kb Thousand bytes 1 000 1024
megabyte Mb million bytes 1 000 000 1 048 576
gigabyte Gb billion bytes 1 000 000 000 1 073 741 824
terabyte Tb trillion bytes 1 000 000 000 000 1 099 511 627 776
Binary system- system of counting used by computers which use a base of 2 and digits 0 & 1. Uses powers
of 2 for its place values.
Coding method ensures that data from one computer can be used on another. Two common coding methods
are ASCII and EBCDIC.
ASCII- standard method of converting alpha numeric into a 7 bit binary code.

3. HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
Hardware refers to objects which you can see and hold e.g. computers and network cables.
Hardware components
Motherboard- main circuit board inside computer holds the CPU
CPU- main chip responsible for processing data
Three main parts in the CPU:
o Register- temp. storage area for data
o Control unit- directs entire computer system
o Arithmetic logic unit- carries out all logical calculations
RAM- random access memory chips that hold programs and files. Volatile memory- loses all its data when
power is switched off
ROM (read only memory) hold information what the CPU needs on a regular basis
Co-processor chips- perform specific processing tasks e.g. video compression
Controller cards- expansion boards, video cards network cards
Bus lines- 32 or 64 bit wires connecting data between the processor and other memory chips
Ports- interface attached to the systems box. Allows you to connect to devices such as USB or printer
Power supply- supply of electricity when plugged into a power socket
Drives- store and recall data e.g. Hard drives or CD drives
Cooling systems- fans designed to prevent overheating

Computers are electronic devices that can process data according to stored sequences of instructions. Five
basic functions:
Input
Processing
Storage
Control
Output
Input- involves entering data into the computer. Input device assists entry of data e.g. keyboard, mouse,
scanner
Processing- changes data to produce information by following a series of instructions performed by the
computers central processing unit- CPU. Takes data from input device, changes it to produce information
and sends it to an output device to be displayed to the user
Fetch- Execute cycle- fetch decode execute (arithmetic logic) store (into memory)
Processing speed the higher the clock speed, the fast the CPU can execute an instruction. Performance also
measured using: word size, response time, CPU utilisation.
Storage involves retaining data and programs in memory and to retain data more permanently storage
devices must be used e.g. hard drives, CDs, DVDs, SD cards
Control coordinates the operation of input, processing, output and storage. Control unit is part of the CPU
and is the organiser that directs the flow of data
Output presentation of information to the person e.g. computer screen, printer
Software is the detailed instructions used to direct the hardware to perform a task. Two types: application
software and system software
Application software computer program e.g. word processors and databases used to achieve its specific
task
System software e.g. utility software and operating systems, manages and controls the hardware so the
application software can perform its task.
System requirements- all computer software needs certain hardware components or other resources to be
present. Most software defines 2 sets of system requirements: minimum and recommended.



4. THE INTERNET AND WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT
What was the trigger for the internet in the beginning?
The USA felt threatened by the advancements made by the Russians in sending up satellites (Sputnik) and
spent time and money developing their own communications technologies.
A communications network was designed so that it would still be able to function if part of it was destroyed
Identify the organisations involved with the development of the Internet
The US Defence Departments Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA)
Browsers:
0 1991 Nexus, first graphical web browser, developed by Tim Berners-Lee
0 1993 Mosaic, credited with popularizing the internet and introducing the web to the public
0 1994 Netscape, Marc Andreesen, lead software engineer of Mosiac, ventures out on his own
0 1995 Internet Explorer, Microsoft
0 1996 Opera, from Telenor, the largest Norwegian telco company
0 1998 Mozilla, started from Netscapes release of the source code of Communicator in the hopes of
becoming a popular open source project
0 2002 IE reaches a 95% share of browser use
0 2003 Apples Safari
0 2004 Firefox great competition for IE
0 2008 Google Chrome
Describe how packets work on the Internet
A message is divided into separate packets to send over the Internet. The packets are re-joined at the
receiving end
What are the advantages of intranets?
0 Easy to digitally update information for the organisation/corporation rather than hardcopies
0 Centralises the information, makes it easily accessible
0 Facilitates collaboration
0 Helps geographically dispersed users
0 Cost savings in operating costs and paperwork
0 Improved communication
0 Enhanced community building
0 Sometime access to information will be faster than through the internet
Explain TWO different ways in which intranets may be set up
0 1. an intranet can be set up on a local area network and have no outside access
0 2. an intranet may be set up on the internet but use password access to restrict the site to authorised
users only
PROTOCOLS
Transmission control protocol (TCP)
0 Defines how two computers on the Internet exchange data
0 When your browser shows status information such as contacting server and receiving data it is
TCP which is at work
Internet Protocol (IP)
0 Defines the address of a computer on the Internet
0 Determines the source and receiver address of the packets
0 Understanding the machine address in order to send the data to the correct location
IP address
0 Each computer is issued a unique number
0 The IP address is four numbers separated by full stops,
THE WORLD WIDE WEB
Hyperlink- hypermedia connection between different sets of data or information. when clicked the text
moves the focus to another part of the document or to another document
Hypertext- Text that supports links to other forms of data. When selected (for example, by clicking with a
mouse), displays new information
HTML- A language used to describe the position and appearance of text and multimedia data on a web page
URL- (Uniform Resource Locator) location of address of a website located on the www
BROWSERS
Purpose: Interprets the coding language HTML in order to display the text, graphics, movies and
animations it contains. Controls what you see when you open a web page.
Describe the role of a browser plug-inA plug-in is a set of software components that adds specific abilities
to a larger software application. Commonly used in web browsers to play video, scan for viruses e.g. adobe
flash player.
How does a text editor differ from a WYSIWYG authoring program?
0 A text editor requires the user to know HTML coding language whereas a WYSIWYG authoring
program provides a design option that allows users to create webpages without understanding the
underlying HTML code
THE DARKE SIDE
Cookie - A small file stored on a users computer when pages are downloaded from the internet. Cookies
hold information about a visit to a website, such as a username or password, eg, online banking. Cookies can
also be used to track user website habits
Encryption- encryption techniques prevent unauthorised access by changing data into an unreadable form.
One area that is important is when you transmit your credit card to make a purchase.
Proxy servers- an actual computer that is used to block access to cache (store) frequently used data. May be
implemented to control all communications
Firewalls- hardware-software security system that acts as a protective boundary between a network (private)
and the outside world (public) Monitors all communication and inspects the source that crosses its path.
Computer virus- program written to alter the contents of a file or another program without users permission
Trojan horse- A type of malware that appears to be a legitimate file or helpful program but whose real
purpose is, for example, to grant a hacker unauthorised access to a computer
Logic bomb- A logic bomb is a piece of code intentionally inserted into a software system that will set off a
malicious function when specified conditions are met
Boot sector virus- A virus that installs on a boot sector disc, ensuring that they run when the user boots up
their computer or program
How can you protect your computer against a virus?
0 Anti-virus software
- Make sure you update your software regularly to ensure it is identifying new viruses
- Dont open unknown files/emails
0 Dont download or share unknown programs