Problem solving/ Algorithm

Question 1

What is Problem solving?

Answer 1

Creating a set of instructions that when executed accepts input and produces meaningful information.

Question 2

What is an Algorithm?

Answer 2

A sequence if instructions which solves a problem

Question 3

What are the steps in problem solving?

Answer 3

1. Define the problem
2. Propose and evaluate the solutions
3. Determine the best solution
4. Develop the algorithm
5. Represent the algorithm using pseudo code or flowchart
6. Test the solutions

Question 4

What is the Divide and Conquer Approach?

Answer 4

Repeatedly split a large problem into a smaller sub problem until a complete solution is identified.

Question 5

What is a variable?

Answer 5

Area of storage whose value changes during processing. Eg. Price

Question 6

What is a constant?

Answer 6

An area of storage whose value does not change during processing. Eg. Pi is always 3.14

Question 7

What is an identifier?

Answer 7

A name given to a variable/constant by a programmer.

Question 8

What are characteristics of a good algorithm?

Answer 8

•It must be precise
•It must be unambiguous
•It must be in a logical sequence
•It must have a finite number of steps or it must end.

Question 9

What are data types?

Answer 9

It specifies what values a variable or constant can hold.

Question 10

Integer

Answer 10

Whole numbers

Question 11

Real

Answer 11

Any number that contains a decimal place.

Question 12

String

Answer 12

Text or sequence of characters.

Question 13

Cher

Answer 13

A single character found on a keyboard.

Question 14

Bolean

Answer 14

True or False/ Yes or no

Question 15

What are the types of Algorithms?

Answer 15

Pseudocodes and Flowcharts

Question 16

What is a pseudocode?

Answer 16

Lists in words the steps to solve a problem in a structured way.

Question 17

What are Flowcharts?

Answer 17

A diagrammatic way to represent an algorithm.

Question 18

What are the Control structures?

Answer 18

•Sequential Statements
•Selection or Conditional statements
•Repetition/Loop/Iteration

Question 19

What is sequential statements?

Answer 19

Every line of the algorithm is carried out in the order it was written.

Question 20

What are Selection) Conditional statements

Answer 20

Not every line if the algorithm is carried out. It will be carried out based on a condition.

Question 21

What are Repetition/Iteration/Loop statements?

Answer 21

Some lines may be repeated until a condition is satisfied.

Question 22

When are IF THEN statements used?

Answer 22

When one option is given based on a condition.

Question 23

When are IF THEN ELSE statements used?

Answer 23

When two options are given based on a condition.

Question 24

What are the 2 types of loops?

Answer 24

•Definite/ Bounded Loop
•Indefinite/ Unbounded Loop

Question 25

What are Definite/ Bounded Loops?

Answer 25

Where you know how many times to repeat the loop.

Question 26

What are Indefinite/Unbounded Loops?

Answer 26

Where you do not know how many times to repeat the loop.

Question 27

When is the FOR loop used?

Answer 27

It is used only when the start value and end values are known.

Question 28

What is the form of the FOR Loop?

Answer 28

FOR <variable> = <start> TO <end> DO
{statement to be repeated}
End for
STOP</end></start></variable>