Question

in the early days of the u.s. space program, many human computers were needed to calculate anything from rocket trajectories to orbital mechanics. these computers were almost exclusively women using nothing more than paper, pencil, and advanced math skills to make their calculations. they were vital to many space missions, from the launch of the first satellites in the 1950s to the 1977 launch of the solar - system - exploring voyager spacecraft.
text 2
despite facing discrimination as a woman and an african american, katherine johnson’s command of advanced mathematics made her an invaluable part of the early american space program. as a human computer, she calculated—by hand—complicated trajectories for satellites and manned spacecraft, including those that went to the moon. she was so impressive that astronaut john glenn asked her to verify his first trip into space because he did not trust the new electronic computers, which kept crashing.
which sentence best combines the main, or central, ideas of both texts?
human computers were important to the early u.s. space program, and katherine johnson stood out as one with remarkable skill in advanced mathematics.
in the early years of the american space program, human computers had to replace electronic computers, which kept crashing.
human computers katherine johnson and john glenn solved complex mathematical equations that were used on manned flights to the moon.
katherine johnson used electronic computers to calculate advanced trajectories for space missions that put satellites in orbit and landed men on

Explanation:

• First, analyze the main ideas of both texts: Text 1 talks about human computers (mostly women) being vital to early US space programs. Text 2 focuses on Katherine Johnson, a human computer, and her advanced math skills contributing to the space program.
• Now, evaluate each option:
• Option 1: It combines the idea that human computers (general) were important to the early US space program and that Katherine Johnson (a specific human computer) stood out with her math skills. This matches the main ideas of both texts.
• Option 2: The texts don't say human computers "had to replace" electronic computers. The example with John Glenn was about verifying, not replacing. So this is incorrect.
• Option 3: John Glenn was an astronaut, not a human computer. So this misrepresents the roles, making it incorrect.
• Option 4: The text says Katherine Johnson calculated by hand, not using electronic computers. So this is incorrect.

Answer:

A. Human computers were important to the early U.S. space program, and Katherine Johnson stood out as one with remarkable skill in advanced mathematics.