214-thinking-logically-elements-of-computational-thinking

Question 1

thinking logically steps

Answer 1

• identifying points in a solution where a decision has to be taken e.g branching, looping
• determine logical conditions (e.g x>y) that affect the outcome of a decision
• how those decisions will change the flow of the program by tracing it and test cases

Question 2

Good algorithm

Answer 2

• clear and precisely stated steps that produce the correct output for any set of valid inputs
• invalid inputs rejected
• must always terminate at some point
  -should execute efficiently in as few steps as possible
• design makes it so other people would be able to understand it and modify it

Question 3

Tools for designing algorithms and thinking logically

Answer 3

Hierarchy charts - useful for identifying the major tasks, and breaking these down into sub tasks
Flowcharts- designing algorithm, getting down initial ideas for individual subroutines
Pseudocode- translate easily into program code

Question 4

Decisions

Answer 4

represented by boolean expressions
evaluated in a selection/iteration statement causing code to branch/loop
determine how different parts of the program will be completed/route

important to identify all the decisions that need to be made, to be informed and gather enough info about the options

Question 5

Trace table

Answer 5

used to write down the contents of each variable as it changes during execution
-useful for figuring how the algorithm works or finding out why it is not working properly