5
Conditions (What if?)
In addition to speed and accuracy, one quality that
makes computers powerful is their ability to evalu-
ate information and make small decisions quickly: a
thermo stat checks the temperature continuously and
turns on heating or cooling as soon as the temperature
goes below or above a certain number; sensors on new
cars react and apply brakes more quickly than we can
when another car suddenly stops ahead; spam filters
turn away dozens of emails to keep our inboxes clean.