INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING

LESSON 3
Introduction to Programming
Preface: Develop Psuedocode Algorithm to solve simple mathematical problems, involving the
use of Control Statements (IF-Then, IF-Then-ELSE)

In a program/psuedocode, a computer will execute instructions in the order (sequence) they are
written. This done where the first is executed, followed by the second and them by a third until
statements in the order written are executed.

Sometimes, certain statements could be skipped and thus the successes of some statements are
dependent on a statement before.

Conditional Statements/Structures
The (IF Statements is used to test a condition)

We are all familiar with conditions one way or another. If we are hungry, we need something to
eat and if we are thirsty, we need something to drink. Or, if the rain falls, we need to take our umbrella or
if the rain does not fall, we do not take our umbrella.

The second decision is based on the condition: IF RAIN IS FALLING

Possible Algorithms:
ALG. 1 IF Rain is falling
THEN take umbrella
ENDIF

ALG. 2 IF rain is falling

THEN take the umbrella
ELSE do not take umbrella
ENDIF

In the first Algorithm, it tells the user what to do IF the rain falls and leaves the decision to the
user IF the rain does not fall.

In the second Algorithm, it is quite specific because it tells the user what to do if the rain falls
(take an umbrella) and what not to do if the rain is not falling (do not take an umbrella).

The main purpose of conditional statements is to help the computer to decide what to do if the
more than one option is available based on a particular condition. This statement would help the
computer to decide which statement to carry out if the condition is favourable and which statement should
be carried out if the rain does not fall (which is unfavourable).
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 These statements are carried out based on the TRUTH or FALSITY of a condition that is being
used to decide or being tested.

EXAMPLE Write Psuedocode Algorithm to print the value of NUMB1 if it is greater than that of
NUMB2.

NOTE: The choice to print NUMB1 is dependent if NUMB1 is greater than NUMB2!

The condition therefore is IF NUMB1 > NUMB2. If this is true, NUMB1 should be
printed.

Psuedocode: Read NUMB1, NUMB2

IF NUMB1 > NUMB2 THEN
Print NUMB1 ELSE
ENDIF
END

Task 1 Write a Psuedocode Algorithm to print the larger of two variables A and B.

Notes/Analysis IF A is greater than B, we need to print A, else we would Print B as it would be

greater than A.

NB In this case, it does not matter if A = B, in such the computer does not matter which number is
printed first. The conditional structure would therefore be IF A > B.

Psuedocode Read A, B A point to bear in mind when

IF A > B THEN comparing two (or more)
variables: What if the variables
Print “Larger number is”, A
are the same value? E.g.
ELSE
Print “Larger number is”, B IF A = B THEN
ENDIF ENDIF
END

Task 2 Write a Psuedocode to read in the value of two numbers A and B and subtract the smaller
number from the larger number. Print the difference.

Psuedocode Read A, B
IF A = B THEN
Print „The numbers are the same‟
ELSE
IF A > B THEN
Difference  A – B
ELSE
Difference  B – A
ENDIF
ENDIF
END

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Task 3 Write a Psuedocode to read in variables A, B and C and sum all numbers and print the
largest of the 3 numbers.

Psuedocode Read A, B, C Largest = A ELSE

Sum:= A + B + C Largest = B
IF A = B THEN ENDIF
ENDIF IF C > Largest THEN
IF A = C THEN Largest = C ELSE
ENDIF Largest = Largest
IF B = C THEN ENDIF
ENDIF Print Largest
ELSE END
IF A > B THEN

Read A, B, C
Sum:= A + B + C
IF A = B THEN
Print „The numbers are the same‟
ELSE
IF A = C THEN
Print „The numbers are the same‟
ELSE
IF B = C THEN
Print „The numbers are the same‟
ELSE
IF A= B = C THEN
Print „The numbers are the same‟
ELSE
ENDIF
ENDIF
ENDIF
ENDIF
ALTERNATIVE USING LOGICAL OPERATIONS

SITUATION 1
IF A > B THEN IF A = B OR IF A = C OR IF B = C THEN
Largest  A ELSE Print „The numbers are the same‟
Largest  B ELSE
ENDIF IF A = B = C THEN
IF C > Largest THEN Print „The numbers are the same‟
Largest  C ELSE ENDIF
Largest  Largest ENDIF
ENDIF Situation 2
Print Largest
END IF A = B OR IF A = C OR IF B = C OR IF A = B = C THEN
Print „The numbers are the same‟
ENDIF

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Task 4 Write a psuedocode algorithm to read an integer value for mark and print the appropriate
grade based on the following table:

Psuedocode Read Mark

Score GRADE IF Mark >= 80 THEN
80 or more A Grade = A ELSE
Less than 80 but more than 65 B IF Mark =>65 THEN
Less than 65 but more than 50 C Grade = B ELSE
Less than 50 but more than 45 D IF Mark => 50 THEN
Less than 45 E Grade = C ELSE
IF Mark => 45 THEN
Grade = D ELSE
Grade = E
ENDIF
Print Grade
END

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 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING

LESSON 3 HOMEWORK
Introduction to Programming

1. Write a psuedocode algorithm to print the value of SUM1 if it is less than SUM2. (5 marks)

2. Write a psuedocode algorithm to print the smaller of the contents of variables A and B. (5 marks)

3. Write a psuedocode to read in variables Q, P and S and print the smallest number. (5 marks)

4. Write an algorithm that prompts the user to input a number. If the number is greater than 45, the
algorithm should prompt the user to enter three additional numbers and find their sum otherwise,
the psuedocode should end. (5 marks)

5. Write a psuedocode to read the values for A, B and C as variables. If the value for A is negative,
the psuedocode should print the sum of the values for variables B and C otherwise, the
psuedocode should print the average of the 3 variables. (5 marks)

6. Write a psuedocode to read a value (between 1 – 5) into a variable of your choice. If the value of
the variable entered is 1, the psuedocode should prompt the user to enter their name. If the value
entered is 2, the algorithm should prompt the user to enter their school name. If the value entered
is 3, the psuedocode should prompt the user to enter their favorite color; otherwise the program
should terminate. (5 marks)

TOTAL MARKS 30