What is a microprocessor? It is an integrated circuit (IC) built on a tiny silicon chip. The microprocessor acts as the "brain" inside personal computers. It is also used in other electronic devices. For example, you can find these silicon chips inside watches, Sony Play Stations, Nintendo Game systems, DVD's, and cellular phones.

You will learn how a microprocessor stores information as bits and bytes in a computer.  You will also learn the famous Moore's Law that guided Intel in developing microprocessors from the 4004 processor with  2,300 transistors in 1971 to the Pentium II with 7.5 million transistors in 1997.  There is no reason to believe that the Moore's Law will change its course in the next 30 years.  In comparison, if Moore's Law applied to the automobile industries, General Motors or Ford would have built cars for less than a dollar today.  Thanks to Mr. Moore and the company he founded, Intel Corporation, the future of computers will be more powerful and computing costs will get much cheaper.