Lesson 3 Algorithmic Thinking 1

What is computational thinking?

• 1. A method for breaking down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts.

• 1. A process of writing code to build software applications.

• It is being able to bake a cake.
• It is creating a coding solution to a problem.

What is an algorithm?

• Patterns and trends used to solve a problem

• A set of step-by-step instructions to resolve a problem

• A programming language

What are algorithms used for?

• To plan out the solution to a problem

• As a platform to program a solution

• To test a solution to a problem

What does an algorithm need to be (choose more than 1)

• Clear instructions

• Exact

• Easy to understand

• Complex

You are at the yellow arrow, pointing in the direction indicated. How would you move to fill in the 2 black squares?

• Straight, Turn right, Straight x 1, Fill Square, Straight x 2, Turn left, Straight x 1, Fill Square

• Straight x 2, Turn right, Straight x 1, Fill Square, Straight x 2, Turn left, Straight x 1, Fill Square

• Straight x 2, Turn right, Straight x 1, Fill Square, Straight x 2, Turn right, Straight x 1, Fill Square

• Straight x 2, Turn right, Straight x 1, Fill Square, Straight x 2, Turn left, Straight x 2, Fill Square

When a program repeats, looping over the same sequence, it is called...

• iteration

• a variable

• an instruction

Why is iteration important?

• It determines the order in which instructions are carried out

• It allows code to be simplified by removing duplicated steps

• It allows multiple paths through a program