ibps-so 2023 · Question 146 of 323

e e w w Direction: Read the following passage and answer the following questions accordingly. The invention of the calculator represents a significant milestone in the history of computing and mathematics. Calculators have evolved over centuries, with each iteration bringing about advancements in technology and capabilities. While the concept of a mechanical device to aid in calculations dates back to ancient civilizations, the modern electronic calculator as we know it today emerged in the mid-20th century. One of the earliest mechanical calculators was the abacus, used by civilizations such as the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Chinese. These early devices relied on the physical manipulation of beads or stones on rods to perform basic arithmetic operations. As society progressed, so did the need for more sophisticated calculation tools. The 17th century saw the advent of mechanical calculators driven by clockwork mechanisms. The Pascaline, invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642, was a pioneering device that could perform addition and subtraction. This was followed by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz's stepped reckoner in 1671, which could perform multiplication and division. These machines were marvels of engineering at the time but were limited in their functionality. The 19th century witnessed the development of more advanced calculators using improved mechanical designs. Charles Babbage, often regarded as the "father of the computer," conceptualized the Analytical Engine in the 1830s, a mechanical device capable of general-purpose computation. Although the Analytical Engine was never fully realized during Babbage's lifetime, his ideas laid the groundwork for future computing innovations. The turning point in the history of calculators came with the advent of electronic components in the mid-20th century. The first electronic calculator, known as ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer), was built during World War II for military calculations. However, it was large, cumbersome, and impractical for everyday use. The breakthrough came in the early 1960s with the introduction of the first commercially available electronic desktop calculators. Companies like Texas Instruments and Sharp released models that could perform basic arithmetic operations, revolutionizing the way people approached calculations. These early electronic calculators were still relatively expensive and used vacuum tubes, making them bulky and power-hungry. The 1970s marked a significant leap forward with the development of pocket-sized calculators. The integration of semiconductor technology, specifically the invention of the microprocessor, allowed for smaller, more efficient calculators. The iconic pocket calculator became a symbol of technological progress and accessibility, empowering students, professionals, and the general public with a portable and affordable tool for mathematical computations. Advancements continued into the digital age, with scientific calculators incorporating more sophisticated functions and programmability. Graphing calculators became popular among students and engineers, providing advanced features for mathematical modeling and analysis. The evolution of calculators also paralleled the rise of personal computers, which eventually led to software-based calculators and the integration of calculation tools into everyday devices. In the 21st century, calculators have become ubiquitous, residing not only in dedicated devices but also as software applications on computers, tablets, and smartphones. The ability to perform complex calculations is now literally at our fingertips, we approach mathematical problem-solving in various fields, from science and engineering to finance and education. What is the tone of the passage?

1. AEnthusiastic
2. BAnalytical
3. CEmotional
4. DInformativeCorrect
5. ECritical