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Common exam pitfall
Students often follow the wrong branch from a decision diamond by misreading inequality signs such as > versus >=.
A flowchart represents an algorithm using shapes and directional arrows. An oval marks start/end, a rectangle marks a process such as assignment, a parallelogram marks input/output, and a diamond marks a decision. Label the decision branches Yes/No or True/False. Arrows show execution order and can return to an earlier step for a loop.
Worked trace
For Age=11, the condition is false and the output is WAIT. For Age=12, it is true and the output is ELIGIBLE. Both branches reach End. Replacing >= with > would wrongly reject the boundary value 12.
Amend and construct
On paper amend the chart so eligibility begins at 15. Only the comparison threshold needs changing. Then draw a new chart which repeatedly asks for a value until it lies from 1 to 5 inclusive.
Self-review: Start leads to an input parallelogram; a decision tests Value >= 1 AND Value <= 5; No returns to input, and Yes reaches a success output and End. Returning to the decision without another input would repeat the same invalid value forever. Use the correct shapes, labelled branches and arrowheads.
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Exam-Style Question: Trace Flowchart Decision Branching
Task
The flowchart below evaluates student marks:
Trace the execution for two inputs: Mark = 65 followed by Mark = 40. Complete the trace table rows.
| # | Mark | Mark >= 50 | Mark >= 40 | Result | OUTPUT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||||
| 2 |
Interactive exercises for Module 2 and beyond require an active plan.