The document outlines the four primary functions of a computer: receiving input, processing information, producing output, and storing information. It describes the role of input devices like keyboards and mice, output devices such as monitors and printers, the central processing unit (CPU) for processing data, and memory and storage devices for holding information. Additionally, it includes visual examples related to these functions.

1. Four Functions of a Computer

2. Receive input Process information Produce output Store information File:Information processing system (english).PNG . (2004, February 25). Retrieved November 6, 2009, from Wikimedia Commons: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Information_processing_system_(english).PNG

3. Spreadsheet Example

4. Spreadsheet Example - Input

5. Spreadsheet Example - Output

6. Receive Input Input devices, such as a keyboard or mouse accept data Photo by Mike Traboe , available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial license .

7. Produce Output Output devices, such as a monitor or printer, send information from the computer to the outside world. Photo by Zzubnik , available from the public domain.

8. Process Information The central processing unit (CPU) interprets and executes program instructions to process information, perform arithmetic calculations, and make logic-based decisions. Store Information Memory (RAM) holds data temporarily for use by the CPU and secondary storage devices, such as a hard drive, CD, DVD, or USB flash drives store data for long-term retrieval.

9. Hardware components that support the four basic functions of a computer