Final answer:
In a payroll program, the amount paid weekly is 'information', while hours worked and pay rate are 'data'. The computer processes data to provide meaningful information like net pay after tax deductions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of a payroll program, the total amount you are paid for the week should be considered as information, while the number of hours you worked in a week and your pay rate are data. Data refers to the raw, unprocessed facts that are input into a system, such as the hours worked and pay rate. Information, on the other hand, is the processed, organized, and meaningful output that a computer program provides, which in this case is the amount you receive in your paycheck after multiplying your hours worked by your pay rate. When considering payroll and taxes, a computer calculates the appropriate deductions for taxes, such as Social Security and Medicare, reducing the gross pay to a net amount that is actually deposited into the employee's bank account. These computations are done seamlessly and efficiently thanks to computerized payroll systems, ensuring that both the employee and employer fulfill their tax obligations without manual calculations.