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Chapter 1
Algorithms and Flowcharts

After studying this lesson, the students will be able to

 understand the need of Algorithm and Flowcharts;
 solve problems by using algorithms and flowcharts;
 get clear idea about sequential, selection and iteration construct; and
 understand the finite- and infinite- loop.

Introduction
Algorithm is a step-by-step process of solving a well-defined computational problem. In
practice, in order to solve any complex real life problems, first we have to define the
problem and then, design algorithm to solve it. Writing and executing a simple
program may be easy; however, for executing a bigger one, each part of the program
must be well organized. In short, algorithms are used to simplify the program
implementation. The next step is making the flowchart. It is a type of diagram that
represents an algorithm or process, showing the steps as „boxes‟ of various kinds and
their order by connecting them with arrows. Then, the flowchart will be converted into
program code.

Algorithm
An algorithm is an effective method expressed as a finite list of well defined
instructions for calculating a function, starting from an initial state and initial input. The
instructions describe a computation, which will eventually produce output, when
executed. We can use algorithm to solve any kind of problems. However, before writing
a program, we need to write the steps to solve the problem in simple English language.
This step-by-step procedure to solve the problem is called algorithm.

Example

Let us take one simple day-to-day example by writing algorithm for making „Maggi
Noodles‟ as a food.

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Step 1: Start

Step 2: Take pan with water

Step 3: Put pan on the burner

Step 4: Switch on the gas/burner

Step 5: Put magi and masala

Step 6: Give two minutes to boil

Step 7: Take off the pan

Step 8: Take out the magi with the help of fork/spoon

Step 9: Put the maggi on the plate and serve it

Step 10: Stop.

Further, the way of execution of the program shall be categorized into three ways: (i)
sequence statements; (ii) selection statements; and (iii) iteration or looping statements.
This is also called as „control structure‟.

Sequence statements: In this program, all the instructions are executed one after
another.

Example

Write an algorithm to print „Good Morning‟.

Step 1: Start

Step 2: Print „Good Morning‟

Step 3: Stop

Example

Write an algorithm to find area of a rectangle.

Step 1: Start

Step 2: Take length and breadth and store them as L and B?

Step 3: Multiply by L and B and store it in area

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Step 4: Print area

Step 5: Stop

In the above mentioned two examples (Example II and III), all the instructions are
executed one after another. These examples are executed under sequential statement.

Selective Statements: In this program, some portion of the program is executed based
upon the conditional test. If the conditional test is true, compiler will execute some part
of the program, otherwise it will execute the other part of the program.

Example

Write an algorithm to check whether he is eligible to vote? (more than or equal to 18

years old).

Step 1: Start

Step 2: Take age and store it in age

Step 3: Check age value, if age >= 18 then go to step 4 else step 5

Step 4: Print “Eligible to vote” and go to step 6

Step 5: Print “Not eligible to vote”

Step 6: Stop

Example

Write an algorithm to check whether given number is +ve, -ve or zero.

Step 1: Start

Step 2: Take any number and store it in n.

Step 3: Check n value, if n > 0 then go to step 5 else go to step 4

Step 4: Check n value, if n < 0 then go to step 6 else go to step 7

Step 5: Print “Given number is +ve” and go to step 8

Step 6: Print “Given number is -ve” and go to step 8

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Step 7: Print “Given number is zero”

Step 8: Stop

In the above mentioned examples IV and V, all the statements are not executed, but
based upon the input, some portions of the algorithm are executed, because we have
„true‟ or „false‟ situation in the program.

Iterative statements: In some programs, certain set of statements are executed again
and again based upon conditional test. i.e. executed more than one time. This type of
execution is called „looping or iteration‟.

Example

Write an algorithm to print all natural numbers up to „n‟.

Step 1: Start

Step 2: Take any number and store it in n.

Step 3: Store 1 in I

Step 4: Check I value, if I<=n then go to step 5 else go to step 8

Step 5: Print I

Step 6: Increment I value by 1

Step 5: Go to step 4

Step 8: Stop

In the above example, steps 4, 5, 6 and 7 are executed more than one time.

Flowchart
In the previous section of this chapter, we have learnt to write algorithms, i.e. step-by-
step process of solving a problem. We can also show these steps in graphical form by
using some symbols. This is called flowcharting.

Flowchart Symbols
Some of the standard symbols along with respective function(s) that are used for
making flowchart are as follows:

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Symbols Functions

1. Start/stop

2. Input/output

3. Processing

4. Decision Box

5. Flow of control

6. Connector

The following flowchart is an example of a sequential execution.

Example

Draw a flowchart to find the simple interest. (Sequence)

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Solution:

Start

Input P,R,T

SI=P*R*T/100

Print SI

Stop

The following flowchart is an example of a selective execution.

Example

Draw a flowchart to find bigger number among two numbers (selective)

Solution:

Start

Input A, B

No Yes
IS
A>B

Print “B is Big” Print “A is Big “

Stop

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The following are the examples (VIII & IX) of an iterative execution.

Example

Draw a flow chart to find factorial of any number.

Solution:

Start

Input N

I=1
F=1

Is I<=N
No Yes

Print F F=F*I
I=I+1

Stop

Example

Draw a flow chart to find biggest number among „n‟ numbers.

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Solution:

Start

Input n

Input A

I=1
Big =A

Big=A
No I=I+1
Is
I<=n Yes

Input A

Print Big

Is Big<A
Yes
Stop No
I=I+1

Finite and Infinite loop

In looping statements, if some set of statements are executed „n‟ times (fixed number of
times), then it is called „finite loop‟. At the same time, if some set of statements are
executed again and again without any end (infinite times), then it is called „infinite
loop‟. For example (X), if we are not incrementing „I‟ (index) value, then we will get
endless (infinite) loop. The following is an example of infinite loop.

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Example

Draw a flow chart to print the number from 1 to ∞.

Solution:

Start

Input N

I=1

No Yes
Is I<=N

Stop Print I

In the above example “I” value is not at all incremented, so it will create endless loop.
This is also called infinite loop.

Note: Set of statements is executed again and again without any end is called infinite
loop.

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EXERCISE

Multiple choice questions:

1. A step by step method for solving a problem using English Language

(a) program (b) Flowchart

(c) statement (d) Algorithm

2. Set of statements is executed based upon conditional test.

(a) Looping (b) Selective

(c) Sequence (d) None

3. Set of statements is executed again and again based upon conditional test.

(a) Looping (b) Selective

(c) Sequence (d) None

4. The graphical representation of algorithm is

(a) program (b) Flowchart

(c) statement (d) Algorithm

5. All instructions are executed one after other.

(a) Looping (b) Selective

(c) Sequence (d) None

Answer the following questions.

1. Define Algorithm.

2. Define Flowchart.

3. Write an algorithm to find the sum of two numbers.

4. Write an algorithm to find the area of a triangle.

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5. Write an algorithm to find whether given number is odd or even.

6. Write an algorithm to find the sum of all even number up to given number.

7. Draw a flowchart to find the area of a circle.

9. Draw a flowchart to find the smallest number among n numbers.

10. Draw a flowchart to find the sum of all multiples of 5 up to given number.

11. Mona is confused about finite loop and infinite loop, explain her with the help of
example.

12. Write an algorithm and a flowchart to find sum of n numbers.

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