Final answer:
The appropriate piece of hardware that complements the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the device driver. The RAM (random access memory) complements the hard drive.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appropriate piece of hardware that complements the CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the device driver. Device drivers are software programs that enable communication between the CPU and various hardware devices connected to the computer. They act as intermediaries, allowing the CPU to send instructions and receive data from the hardware. On the other hand, the RAM (random access memory) complements the hard drive. RAM is a type of computer memory that allows the CPU to quickly access and retrieve data during its operation. It serves as temporary storage for data that is being actively used by the CPU. The hard drive, on the other hand, provides long-term storage for data and programs. Understanding Computer Hardware Complements. To match the appropriate piece of hardware to its complement:
a) Hard Drive: This is completed by a metallic component highlighted in a red circle, which may represent the hard drive's platters where data is stored magnetically. b) CPU (Central Processing Unit): Paired with a chip containing complex integrated electric circuitry, the CPU is the main processor executing instructions and coordinating tasks in a computer or cell phone. c) RAM (Random Access Memory): The analogy to memory as an information processing system ties back to RAM, which temporarily stores data for quick access and efficient processing by the CPU. d) Device Drivers: These are not hardware but software, which allow the operating system to communicate with hardware devices. In the analogy, it can be related to the mind acting as software for the brain's hardware, translating sensory inputs into outputs. The device that made it possible for digital computers to efficiently process large amounts of information is the transistor, leading to the development of today’s silicon chip-based computers.