COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
CERTIFICATION PAPER 2026 FULL
SOLUTION GRADED A+
● What are the main objectives of studying computer organization and
architecture? Answer: To design better programs, optimize program
behavior, evaluate computer system performance, and understand time,
space, and price tradeoffs.
● What does the Principle of Equivalence of Hardware and Software
state? Answer: Any task done by software can also be done using
hardware, and vice versa, assuming speed is not a concern.
● What are the three basic components of a computer? Answer: A
processor to interpret and execute programs, a memory to store data and
programs, and a mechanism for transferring data to and from the outside
world.
● What does 'Kilo-' represent in terms of measurement? Answer: Kilo-
(K) represents 1 thousand, or 10^3 and 2^10.
● What is the definition of a Hertz? Answer: A Hertz is a measure of
frequency, defined as clock cycles per second.
, ● How is processor speed typically measured? Answer: Processor speed
is measured in MHz (megahertz) or GHz (gigahertz).
● What is a byte? Answer: A byte is a unit of storage, with 1KB equal to
2^10 bytes.
● What is the difference between RAM and cache memory? Answer:
RAM (random access memory) is used for temporary storage of data and
programs, while cache memory is a smaller, faster type of memory that
stores frequently accessed data.
● What does 'millisecond' measure? Answer: A millisecond is 1
thousandth of a second.
● What is the significance of cycle time in relation to clock frequency?
Answer: Cycle time is the reciprocal of clock frequency; for example, a
bus operating at 133MHz has a cycle time of 7.52 nanoseconds.
● What is the rotational speed of a hard disk drive measured in?
Answer: The rotational speed of a hard disk drive is measured in RPM
(revolutions per minute).
● What is the function of USB ports in a computer system? Answer:
USB ports allow the movement of data between a computer system and
its external devices.
CERTIFICATION PAPER 2026 FULL
SOLUTION GRADED A+
● What are the main objectives of studying computer organization and
architecture? Answer: To design better programs, optimize program
behavior, evaluate computer system performance, and understand time,
space, and price tradeoffs.
● What does the Principle of Equivalence of Hardware and Software
state? Answer: Any task done by software can also be done using
hardware, and vice versa, assuming speed is not a concern.
● What are the three basic components of a computer? Answer: A
processor to interpret and execute programs, a memory to store data and
programs, and a mechanism for transferring data to and from the outside
world.
● What does 'Kilo-' represent in terms of measurement? Answer: Kilo-
(K) represents 1 thousand, or 10^3 and 2^10.
● What is the definition of a Hertz? Answer: A Hertz is a measure of
frequency, defined as clock cycles per second.
, ● How is processor speed typically measured? Answer: Processor speed
is measured in MHz (megahertz) or GHz (gigahertz).
● What is a byte? Answer: A byte is a unit of storage, with 1KB equal to
2^10 bytes.
● What is the difference between RAM and cache memory? Answer:
RAM (random access memory) is used for temporary storage of data and
programs, while cache memory is a smaller, faster type of memory that
stores frequently accessed data.
● What does 'millisecond' measure? Answer: A millisecond is 1
thousandth of a second.
● What is the significance of cycle time in relation to clock frequency?
Answer: Cycle time is the reciprocal of clock frequency; for example, a
bus operating at 133MHz has a cycle time of 7.52 nanoseconds.
● What is the rotational speed of a hard disk drive measured in?
Answer: The rotational speed of a hard disk drive is measured in RPM
(revolutions per minute).
● What is the function of USB ports in a computer system? Answer:
USB ports allow the movement of data between a computer system and
its external devices.
