IB Computer Science B.1 the Basic Model Questionbank

(d) Analyze the limitations of using a simplified linear simulation to predict the lifespan of complex hardware like lithium-ion batteries.

The automated management system of a hydroelectric dam uses a computer-based simulation to regulate water flow and safety. For example, the system:

• controls the positioning of the main intake valves, the turbine speeds, and the spillway gates
• allows the operator to switch between different operational modes, such as maximum power generation or flood mitigation.

The simulation software processes high-frequency data from a network of physical sensors to maintain a real-time model of the reservoir's status.

(c) Identify two distinct output devices or actuators that the simulation software controls to manage the physical infrastructure of the dam.

Urban planning and infrastructure development increasingly rely on computational models to handle the complexities of modern transportation. Traffic flow simulations are used to design efficient road networks and minimize congestion in growing cities.

(a) State four quantitative parameters required to initialize a computer simulation of vehicle traffic at a major intersection.

(b) Propose three visual formats that could be used to present simulation results to assist engineers in identifying traffic bottlenecks.

(c) Explain the methodology of using a stochastic computer model to determine the optimal timing for traffic light cycles at a new junction.

(d) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using predictive traffic simulations as the primary basis for high-cost infrastructure investments, such as new highways.

A regional water authority manages a primary reservoir currently containing $180$ million cubic meters ($m^3$) of water. Due to a predicted drought, engineers need to simulate the depletion of the reservoir over the next $120$ days to determine if emergency restrictions are necessary. The current estimated daily outflow for residential and industrial use is $1.5$ million $m^3$.

(b) Identify three environmental or human variables, other than standard residential usage, that influence the water level in a reservoir.

(c) Explain how the simulation model could be modified to incorporate the variables identified in part 1 to improve its predictive power.

(d) Discuss the limitations of using historical data and simplified models to simulate natural resource availability.

EcoRide is a city-wide bike-sharing platform that allows users to rent manual or electric bikes. Each bike is equipped with a digital odometer that tracks distance in kilometers.

There are two categories of membership: Standard and Gold. The platform calculates the cost of each trip based on several variables within a mathematical model.

BIKE_TYPE
The category of bike rented, which is either "Manual" or "Electric".

START_ODO
The odometer reading at the start of the journey (a 4-digit integer display in km).

END_ODO
The odometer reading at the end of the journey (a 4-digit integer display in km).

BASE_FEE
A fixed service charge applied to every trip. The standard fee is $5.00, but this is reduced by 20% for Gold members.

BATT_LEVEL
A variable recorded only for electric bikes, representing the battery percentage (0–100) remaining upon return.

The digital odometers function as follows:

• The display increments by one for every full kilometer traveled.
• The display has a maximum value of $9999$. If it exceeds this, it resets to $0000$ and continues counting.

The billing rules for the EcoRide model are as follows:

• The rate for a Manual bike is $0.50 per kilometer.
• The rate for an Electric bike is $1.20 per kilometer.
• The total cost is the sum of the distance-based charge and the BASE_FEE.
• EcoRide encourages sustainable management: if an Electric bike is returned to a designated "Green Zone" with a BATT_LEVEL of 80% or higher, a 15% discount is applied to the entire trip cost.

(b) Outline how the model calculates the distance traveled during a journey, specifically addressing the logic required if the odometer resets during the trip.

(d) Identify three distinct ways a user of the EcoRide platform could lower the cost of their individual trips according to the model.

(e) Identify two financial risks associated with an inaccurate battery degradation model, and explain how each would impact the logistics firm.

(a) The simulation software monitors the reservoir height ($h$) and the rate of water inflow ($Q$) from surrounding rivers to predict future water levels. During periods of heavy rainfall, the software must decide whether to activate the emergency overflow gates.

Explain the four logical steps the software must perform to determine if the overflow gates should be opened.

(b) A simulation model is an abstraction of reality. Identify one physical attribute of the dam that would be treated as a constant parameter in the software, and suggest why it would not be represented as a variable.

(a) Describe the iterative process for a basic simulation to determine the water volume remaining after $120$ days, assuming no rainfall occurs.

(a) State the appropriate data type and the possible range of values for each of the following variables used in the model: BIKE_TYPE, START_ODO, and BASE_FEE.

(c) Construct the pseudocode for an algorithm that calculates the total cost of a trip. The algorithm should input the membership status, bike type, zone type, and necessary odometer/battery readings, and output the final price. You should define any additional variables as needed.