MALABAR SECONDARY SCHOOL
MORE ON PROBLEM SOLVING - ALGORITHMS
In this lesson you will review five steps to problem sovling.
Click on the music file below to listen to the song.
Can you list the five steps to problem sovling?
DISCLAIMER: We do own the rights to the music used to modify this audio item. This recording was created only for educational purposes
ALGORITHMS
What is an algorithm?
An Algorithm is a finite sequence of instructions that if followed, will allow us to achieve our result.
Characteristics of Algorithms
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Is Unambiguous or Precise: Steps must be clear and specific.
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Has logical sequence: Must flow from one step to another.
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Has inputs
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Has outputs
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Is finite – fixed number of steps.
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Is efficient – minimum amount of steps used.
Ways to represent Algorithms
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Narrative
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Using English like statements to describe the solution to the problem.
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Flowchart (Use of Shapes)
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Using visual representation of the solution using specific shapes and arrows.
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Pseudocode
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As the name implies pseudo – fake code, not an actual programming language but very close.
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Types of Instructions
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Input instructions
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Processing instructions
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Sequencing instructions
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Repeating instructions
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Selecting instructions
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Output instructions
Narrative Style Algorithms
Complete the activities below based on writing out instructions. You should note that each instruction should begin with a verb or action word. These are all algorithms done in the narrative form.
Activity 1
Activity 2
Complete the following in your notebooks.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
What did you notice about your responses and those of others in your class?
Activity 3
Type the name of your class, then your full name and click start to begin the quiz below.
QUIZ - ALGORITHMS
Activity 4
In a group of three to four persons write an algorithm to guide two persons in the steps required to play and complete the game of snakes and ladders. Note the algorithm must be written for a two player game.
Activity 6
Do you know how to play chess. Click the online game of chess. Play with the Bot for 5 minutes then answer the questions below in your notebooks.
1. Write an algorithm for the minutes of the game of chess.
2. Look at the characteristics of algorithms in your books or from this site. Did the algorithm that you wrote follow all of these characteristics?
3. How well does the game of snakes and ladders follow the characteristics of alogrithms?
4. Would you say that playing a game of chess is following a clear algorithm? (Look again at the characteristics of algorithms to help you answer this question).
