Question

Read the excerpt from The Code Book. Without much hope of a theoretical breakthrough, cryptanalysts have been forced to look for a technological innovation. If there is no obvious way to reduce the number of steps required for factoring, then cryptanalysts need a technology that will perform these steps more quickly. Silicon chips will continue to get faster as the years pass, doubling in speed roughly every eighteen months, but this is not enough to make a real impact on the speed of factoring—cryptanalysts require a technology that is billions of times faster than current computers. Consequently, cryptanalysts are looking toward a radically new form of computer, the quantum computer. If scientists could build a quantum computer, it would be able to perform calculations with such enormous speed that it would make a modern supercomputer look like a broken abacus. The author’s purpose in this paragraph is to convince the readers to pursue a career in analysis. explain the need for faster technology in cryptanalysis. entertain with interesting stories about supercomputers. argue for more money to develop a quantum computer.

Answer 1

Answer:

The author’s purpose in this paragraph is to explain the need for faster technology in cryptanalysis.

Explanation:

Simon Singh's book on the history of cryptography "The Code Book" presents an illustrative representation of the world of cryptography. In it, he reveals the secrets of the cryptographic world, the history of encryption, and the evolution in the field.

As given in the passage, the author presents how a newer and better technology is needed by cryptographers if they are to make success in a fast way in the "speed of factoring". Silicon chips may help but that is not enough for it can change. Rather, he argues for the need for a "technology that is billions of times faster than current computers". And if scientists were to build a "quantum computer", it will definitely be a huge success for them for "it would be able to perform calculations with such enormous speed that it would make a modern supercomputer look like a broken abacus". Thus, the whole passage is to explain why cryptoanalysis requires faster technology.