Algorithms and Flowchart for IGCSE Students

ALGORITHMS AND FLOWCHARTS
Problem Analysis

ALGORITHMS AND FLOWCHARTS
A typical programming task can be divided into two
phases:
Problem solving phase
produce an ordered sequence of steps that describe solution
of problem
this sequence of steps is called an algorithm
Implementation phase
implement the program in some programming language

Steps in Problem Solving
First produce a general algorithm (one can use
pseudocode)
Refine the algorithm successively to get step by step
detailed algorithm that is very close to a computer
language.
Pseudocode is an artificial and informal language that
helps programmers develop algorithms. Pseudocode is
very similar to everyday English.

Pseudocode & Algorithm
Example 1: Write an algorithm to determine a student’s final
grade and indicate whether it is passing or failing. The final
grade is calculated as the average of four marks.

Pseudocode:
Input a set of 4 marks
Calculate their average by summing and dividing by 4
if average is below 50
Print “FAIL”
else
Print “PASS”

Detailed Algorithm
Step 1: Input M1,M2,M3,M4
Step 2: GRADE  (M1+M2+M3+M4)/4
Step 3: if (GRADE < 50) then
Print “FAIL”
else
Print “PASS”
endif

The Flowchart
(Dictionary) A schematic representation of a sequence of
operations, as in a manufacturing process or computer
program.
(Technical) A graphical representation of the sequence of
operations in an information system or program.
Information system flowcharts show how data flows from source
documents through the computer to final distribution to users.
Program flowcharts show the sequence of instructions in a single program
or subroutine. Different symbols are used to draw each type of flowchart.

The Flowchart
A Flowchart
shows logic of an algorithm
emphasizes individual steps and their interconnections
e.g. control flow from one action to the next

Flowchart Symbols
Oval
Parallelogram
Rectangle
Diamond
Hybrid
Name Symbol Use in Flowchart
Denotes the beginning or end of the program
Denotes an input operation
Denotes an output operation
Denotes a decision (or branch) to be made.
The program should continue along one of
two routes. (e.g. IF/THEN/ELSE)
Denotes a process to be carried out
e.g. addition, subtraction, division etc.
Flow line Denotes the direction of logic flow in the program
Basic

Example
PRINT
“PASS”
Step 1: Input M1,M2,M3,M4
Step 2: GRADE  (M1+M2+M3+M4)/4
Step 3: if (GRADE <50) then
Print “FAIL”
else
Print “PASS”
endif
START
Input
M1,M2,M3,M4
GRADE(M1+M2+M3+M4)/4
IS
GRADE<5
0
PRINT
“FAIL”
STOP
Y
N

Example 2
Write an algorithm and draw a flowchart to convert the length
in feet to centimeter.

Pseudocode:
Input the length in feet (Lft)
Calculate the length in cm (Lcm) by multiplying
LFT with 30
Print length in cm (LCM)

Example 2
Algorithm
Step 1: Input Lft
Step 2: Lcm  Lft x 30
Step 3: Print Lcm
START
Input
Lft
Lcm  Lft x 30
Print
Lcm
STOP
Flowchart

Example 3
Write an algorithm and draw a flowchart that will read
the two sides of a rectangle and calculate its area.

Pseudocode
Input the width (W) and Length (L) of a rectangle
Calculate the area (A) by multiplying L with W
Print A

Example 3
Algorithm
Step 1: Input W,L
Step 2: A  L x W
Step 3: Print A
START
Input
W, L
A  L x W
Print
A
STOP

Flowcharts
Flowcharts is a graph used to depict or show a step by step
solution using symbols which represent a task.
The symbols used consist of geometrical shapes that are
connected by flow lines.
It is an alternative to pseudocoding; whereas a pseudocode
description is verbal, a flowchart is graphical in nature.

Flowchart Symbols
Terminal symbol - indicates the beginning and
end points of an algorithm.
Process symbol - shows an instruction other than
input, output or selection.
Input-output symbol - shows an input or an output
operation.
Disk storage I/O symbol - indicates input from or output to
disk storage.
Printer output symbol - shows hardcopy printer
output.

Flowchart Symbols cont…
Selection symbol - shows a selection process
for two-way selection.
Off-page connector - provides continuation of a
logical path on another page.
On-page connector - provides continuation
of logical path at another point in the same
page.
Flow lines - indicate the logical sequence of
execution steps in the algorithm.

Flowchart–sequencecontrolstructure
Statement 2
Statement 1
Statement 3
:

Flowchart–selectioncontrolstructure
Condition
else-
statement(s)
then-
statement(s)
Yes
No

Flowchart–repetitioncontrolstructure
Condition
Loop
Statement(s)
yes
no

Flowchart – example 1
Begin
Read birth date
Calculate
Age = current year – birth date
Display
age
End

Begin
Read age
End
Age > 55? NO
YES
print “Adult” print “Young”

Begin
End
current_number <= 10?
NO
YES
sum = 0
current_number = 1
sum = sum + current_number
current_number = current_number + 1
print sum

Exercises: Algorithm & Flowchart
1.) Create an algorithm and a flowchart that will accept/read
two numbers and then display the bigger number.

2.) Create an algorithm and a flowchart that will
compute the area of a circle.

3.) Create an algorithm and a flowchart that will compute
the sum of two numbers. If the sum is below or equal to
twenty, two numbers will be entered again. If the sum is
above 20, it will display the sum.

Lab Activity: Algorithm & Flowchart
4) Create an algorithm and a flowchart that will output
the largest number among the three numbers.

Algorithms and Flowchart for IGCSE Students

Algorithms and Flowchart for IGCSE Students

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