Question

question 19 of 25
what does a computer use short - term memory, or ram, for?
a. to make the data needed for running applications quick to access and easy to modify
b. to back up and save documents for later use
c. to provide instructions to the computer for performing functions
d. to tell the computer how to start up

Explanation:

• Option A: RAM (Random Access Memory) is volatile memory used by computers to store data and program instructions that are actively being used or processed. This allows the CPU to quickly access and modify the data needed for running applications, which matches the description in option A.
• Option B: Backing up and saving documents for later use is typically done by storage devices like hard drives or cloud storage, not RAM. RAM is temporary and loses data when power is off.
• Option C: Providing instructions for performing functions is more related to the computer's firmware (like BIOS) or software programs, not RAM. RAM holds data and instructions that are currently in use, not the core set of instructions for basic functions.
• Option D: Telling the computer how to start up is the role of the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which are stored in non - volatile memory, not RAM.

Answer:

A. To make the data needed for running applications quick to access and easy to modify