Final answer:
In a radio receiver, the first mixer uses the incoming RF signal and a local oscillator to create an intermediate frequency (IF), which allows for improved signal processing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first mixer in the receiver combines the incoming signal with the local oscillator to produce an intermediate frequency (IF). The process involves frequency conversion, where the difference (or occasionally the sum) between the incoming radio frequency (RF) signal and the frequency generated by the local oscillator is the IF. This is a standard technique in radio receivers to facilitate more convenient and efficient signal processing at a lower, fixed frequency.