Assuming we define Moore’s Law as the doubling of microprocessor power every 18 months, answer the following.

a) After successfully completing your computer organization and architecture class, you have a brilliant idea for a new chip design that would make a processor six times faster than the fastest ones on the market today. Unfortunately, it will take you four and a half years to save the money, create the prototype, and build a finished product. If Moore’s Law holds, should you spend your money developing and producing your chip or invest in some other venture? 

b) Suppose we have a problem that currently takes 100,000 hours of computer time using current technology to solve. Which of the following would give us the solution first: 

(1) Replace the algorithm used in the current solution with one that runs twice as fast and run it on the current technology,

(2) Wait three years, assuming Moore’s Law doubles the performance of a computer every 18 months, and find the solution using the current algorithm with the new technology?