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integrated computational thinking

Algorithms 2: Algorithms Unplugged

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Step 2 of 7: Steps, steps, steps

In the prior step, questions helped narrow down choices for the very open-ended problem of what to watch. How could adding a small amount of structure to prior questions save time next time you can’t figure out what to watch? How could writing down a list of questions in a specific order help answer the central question?

To explore the idea of asking a question then breaking it down into specific steps, let’s consider a high school science class.

Can you recall the physical science formula to convert Fahrenheit to Celsius? C = 5/9 (F - 32)? The formula states that in order to find a Celsius value, you first need to figure out that temperature in Fahrenheit and remember algebra’s order of operation rules.

To break down the task, you could create a list of steps similar to following a recipe.

Step 1: Start

Step 2: Read temperature in Fahrenheit

Step 3: Subtract 32 from Fahrenheit temperature

Step 4: Multiply by 5

Step 5: Divide by 9

Step 6: Show temperature in Celsius

Step 7: End

Above, you took a formula and turned it into a list of steps for solving a particular problem (converting Fahrenheit to Celsius). Another name for this process of drafting a step-by-step set of instructions is an algorithm. An algorithm must have a set of unambiguous (order, explicit) rules and a clear stopping point. There may be more than one way to solve a problem; so, there may be more than one algorithm for a given problem.

Could the steps above be shortened?