Understanding Algorithms and Flowcharts

What is an algorithm?

• A computer hardware

• A finite set of instructions for solving a problem

• A storage device

Which of these best describes pseudocode?

• A computer programming language

• A readable description of an algorithm in natural language

• A mathematical equation

A flowchart is a:

• Written essay

• Pictorial representation of an algorithm

• Book chapter

Which shape represents the start or end of a flowchart?

• Rectangle

• Parallelogram

• Oval

What does a rectangle represent in a flowchart?

• Input/Output

• Process

• Decision

The arrows in a flowchart are called:

• Decision points

• Flow lines

• Blocks

The characteristics of a good algorithm include:

• Finiteness

• Ambiguity

• Infinite loops

Which of these is a function of an algorithm?

• To cook food

• Provide a step-by-step solution to a problem

• Paint a picture

A decision symbol in a flowchart is represented by a:

• Diamond

• Rectangle

• Circle

The absence of ambiguity in an algorithm means:

• It’s complex and confusing

• Every instruction is clearly specified

• Instructions are optional