Keeping only the details that are needed and ignoring the rest
What is the name for working out the steps needed to solve a problem, in the correct order, precisely enough that a computer can follow them?
Algorithmic thinking
What is meant by an algorithm?
A sequence of steps that solves a problem
Which term describes a set of techniques for understanding a problem and working out a solution that a computer can carry out?
Computational thinking
What is meant by a sub-problem?
A smaller part of a larger problem that can be solved and tested on its own
A programmer tests a first version of a solution, then improves the problem definition and the solution step by step. What is this called?
Refining the problem
Computational thinking is used to define a problem. What does this mean?
Working out exactly what has to be solved
What does decomposition mean in computational thinking?
Breaking a large problem into smaller sub-problems
A chess program stores each piece as a single letter and the board as an 8 by 8 grid. What is being done here?
Real objects are being represented by simpler models
A team splits a large program into parts so that different people can write each part. Which principle of computational thinking is being used?
Decomposition
A programmer lists the steps of a solution and decides the order they must be carried out in. Which principle of computational thinking is being used?
Algorithmic thinking
A sat nav needs to work out a route. Which detail about a road is not needed and so would be left out?
The colours of the houses along the road
Why must every step of an algorithm be written precisely?
A processor follows each instruction exactly and cannot guess what was meant
What is a benefit of decomposition when solving a large problem?
Each part is simpler to understand, write and test
Why does abstraction make a problem easier to solve?
The solution is simpler and there is less to design and program
A quiz program asks ten questions and adds one to the score for each correct answer. Which step is carried out once, before the repeat begins?
Setting the score to zero
A sub-problem is still too large to solve easily on its own. What should be done next?
Break it down into smaller sub-problems
A programmer writes the steps for making a slice of toast as: take the bread from the bag, put it in the toaster, wait until it pops up, push the lever down. What is wrong with this solution?
The steps are not in the correct order
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