Question

text 1
in the early days of the u.s. space program, many human \computers\ were needed to calculate anything from rocket trajectories to orbital mechanics. these computers were almost exclusively women using nothing more than paper, pencil, and advanced math skills to make their calculations. they were vital to many space missions, from the launch of the first satellites in the 1950s to the 1977 launch of the solar - system - exploring voyager spacecraft.
text 2
despite facing discrimination as a woman and an african american, katherine johnsons command of advanced mathematics made her an invaluable part of the early american space program. as a human computer, she calculated—by hand—complicated trajectories for satellites and manned spacecraft, including those that went to the moon. she was so impressive that astronaut john glenn asked her to verify his first trip into space because he did not trust the new electronic computers, which kept crashing.
which sentence best combines the main, or central, ideas of both texts?
human computers were important to the early u.s. space program, and katherine johnson stood out as one with remarkable skill in advanced mathematics.
in the early years of the american space program, human computers had to replace electronic computers, which kept crashing.
human computers katherine johnson and john glenn solved complex mathematical equations that were used on manned flights to the moon.
katherine johnson used electronic computers to calculate advanced trajectories for space missions that put satellites in orbit and landed men on the moon.

Explanation:

• Analyze Text 1: It emphasizes the importance of human "computers" (mostly women) in the early U.S. space program for calculations.
• Analyze Text 2: It highlights Katherine Johnson, a human computer, and her remarkable math skills contributing to the space program.
• Evaluate Option 1: Combines the importance of human computers in the space program and Katherine Johnson's standout math skills, matching both texts.
• Evaluate Option 2: Text 1 doesn't say human computers replaced electronic ones; Text 2 only mentions John Glenn didn't trust new computers, not replacement. Eliminate.
• Evaluate Option 3: John Glenn was an astronaut, not a human computer solving equations. Contradicts Text 2. Eliminate.
• Evaluate Option 4: Text 2 says Katherine calculated by hand, not using electronic computers. Contradicts. Eliminate.

Answer:

A. Human computers were important to the early U.S. space program, and Katherine Johnson stood out as one with remarkable skill in advanced mathematics.