Mathematician Claude Shannon is widely regarded as a foundational figure in information theory. His most important paper, “A Mathematical Theory of Communication,” published in 1948 when he was employed at Bell Labs, utilized a concept called a “binary digit” (shortened to “bit”) to measure the amount of information in any signal and determine the fastest rate at which information could be transmitted while still being reliably decipherable. Robert Gallagher, one of Shannon’s colleagues, said that the bit was “[Shannon’s] discovery, and from it the whole communications revolution has sprung.”
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
Explanation
Context: The passage introduces Claude Shannon as foundational to information theory. It describes his landmark 1948 paper at Bell Labs that introduced the "bit" to measure information and determine optimal transmission rates. It ends with colleague Robert Gallagher's quote attributing the entire communications revolution to Shannon's bit concept.
Answer: B) It introduces a respected researcher, describes an aspect of his work, and suggests why the work is historically significant.
Why? Three-part structure: (1) introduces Shannon as foundational figure, (2) describes his 1948 paper and the "bit" concept, (3) Gallagher's quote suggests the communications revolution sprang from Shannon's discovery.
Traps:
- A) "presents a theoretical concept, illustrates how the name of the concept came about, and then..." → the passage doesn't explain how "bit" was named (it simply notes it's short for "binary digit"); the focus is on the researcher and his impact
- C) "names the company where an important mathematician worked, details the mathematics he developed..." → Bell Labs is mentioned as context, not as the focus of the passage
- D) "mentions a paper, offers a summary of the paper's findings, and presents diverging views on those findings" → no diverging views on Shannon's work are presented; Gallagher's quote expresses consensus about its importance