Sequential, Parallel & Multi-agent Models

Computer Science Master

Question 1. Which of the following best describes sequential computer architecture?

□ A. Multiple processing units execute tasks simultaneously.

□ B. A single CPU executes instructions one after another.

□ C. Autonomous agents interact to solve problems collaboratively.

□ D. A central controller manages several distributed units.

Question 2. What is one major disadvantage of parallel architecture?

□ A. It is easier to program than sequential architecture.

□ B. It uses only one processing unit.

□ C. Synchronization overhead can reduce performance gains.

□ D. It cannot handle large-scale data processing.

Question 3. In which scenario is a multi-agent architecture most suitable?

□ A. Executing arithmetic calculations sequentially.

□ B. Simulating interactions between autonomous entities in a traffic system.

□ C. Rendering a single image on a GPU.

□ D. Running a batch job on a single-core processor.

Question 4. Which of these is a key characteristic of parallel computing?

□ A. Instructions are executed one at a time.

□ B. Tasks are divided into subtasks processed concurrently.

□ C. All agents operate independently without communication.

□ D. A single agent governs all other components.

Question 5. Fill in the blank(s)

In sequential computer architecture, the CPU follows a ______________________________ cycle to process instructions.

Question 6. Fill in the blank(s)

Parallel architectures improve computational speed by splitting tasks into ________________________ processed concurrently.

Question 7. Fill in the blank(s)

Multi-agent systems consist of multiple autonomous _________ that interact to achieve goals.

Question 8. Fill in the blank(s)

One disadvantage of sequential architecture is that it may not efficiently utilize _______________________________.

Question 9. Fill in the blank(s)

Task parallelism involves executing different _______ simultaneously in parallel architectures.

Question 10. What is the main difference between sequential and parallel architectures?

Question 11. Name two use cases where parallel architectures are particularly beneficial.

Question 12. What is one challenge programmers face when developing software for parallel architectures?

Question 13. Define a fully decentralized multi-agent system.

Question 14. Why might sequential architectures still be used despite the advantages of parallel computing?

Question 15. Explain how the fetch-decode-execute cycle works in sequential computer architecture and why it can lead to performance bottlenecks.

Question 16. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of parallel architectures in modern computing environments.

Question 17. Describe the role of agents in multi-agent architecture and how these systems can be applied to real-world problems such as traffic management or robotics.

Sequential, Parallel & Multi-agent Models

Answer Sheet

Question 1. Which of the following best describes sequential computer architecture?

A. Multiple processing units execute tasks simultaneously.

□ B. A single CPU executes instructions one after another.

C. Autonomous agents interact to solve problems collaboratively.

D. A central controller manages several distributed units.

Question 2. What is one major disadvantage of parallel architecture?

A. It is easier to program than sequential architecture.

B. It uses only one processing unit.

□ C. Synchronization overhead can reduce performance gains.

D. It cannot handle large-scale data processing.

Question 3. In which scenario is a multi-agent architecture most suitable?

A. Executing arithmetic calculations sequentially.

□ B. Simulating interactions between autonomous entities in a traffic system.

C. Rendering a single image on a GPU.

D. Running a batch job on a single-core processor.

Question 4. Which of these is a key characteristic of parallel computing?

A. Instructions are executed one at a time.

□ B. Tasks are divided into subtasks processed concurrently.

C. All agents operate independently without communication.

D. A single agent governs all other components.

Question 5. Fill in the blank(s)

In sequential computer architecture, the CPU follows a [[fetch-decode-execute]] cycle to process instructions.

Question 6. Fill in the blank(s)

Parallel architectures improve computational speed by splitting tasks into [[smaller subtasks]] processed concurrently.

Question 7. Fill in the blank(s)

Multi-agent systems consist of multiple autonomous [[agents]] that interact to achieve goals.

Question 8. Fill in the blank(s)

One disadvantage of sequential architecture is that it may not efficiently utilize [[multi-core processors]].

Question 9. Fill in the blank(s)

Task parallelism involves executing different [[tasks]] simultaneously in parallel architectures.

Question 10. What is the main difference between sequential and parallel architectures?

Sequential architecture executes instructions one at a time using a single CPU, while parallel architecture executes multiple tasks simultaneously using multiple processing units.

Question 11. Name two use cases where parallel architectures are particularly beneficial.

Scientific simulations and big data analytics.

Question 12. What is one challenge programmers face when developing software for parallel architectures?

Managing concurrency, synchronization, and data distribution which makes parallel programming complex and error-prone.

Question 13. Define a fully decentralized multi-agent system.

A system where agents operate autonomously without central control, making decisions based on local interactions.

Question 14. Why might sequential architectures still be used despite the advantages of parallel computing?

Because they are conceptually simpler, easier to program, and well-suited for tasks without concurrent dependencies.

Question 15. Explain how the fetch-decode-execute cycle works in sequential computer architecture and why it can lead to performance bottlenecks.

Question 16. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of parallel architectures in modern computing environments.

Question 17. Describe the role of agents in multi-agent architecture and how these systems can be applied to real-world problems such as traffic management or robotics.