Disclaimer

Presentation Mode
We hope you find the information on our website and resources
useful. This resource has been designed with animations on each
slide to make it as fun and engaging as possible. To view the
content in the correct formatting, please view the slideshow in
‘presentation mode’. If you view the slides without selecting
‘presentation mode’, you may find that some of the text and
images overlap each other or are difficult to read.
Algorithms
and
Flowcharts
 Learning Objective
• Design, create and test algorithms involving a sequence of
steps and decisions.

Success Criteria
• I can understand what is an algorithm.
• I can recognise flowchart symbols.
• I can use and create flowcharts.
• I can use and create algorithms to solve problems.
Traffic Lights Warm-
up
Observe the sequence of lights on the traffic
light. Try to remember the correct sequence.

Click Here
to activate
 Traffic Lights Warm-up
Let’s start with the Green light, what comes next? Is it ...

Green Amber Red Amber Green

Green Red Amber Green

Green Red & Amber Red Red & Amber Green

Green Amber Red Green

Green Amber Red Red & Amber Green

Green Red Amber Green

Green Green & Amber Red Amber Green

 Traffic Lights Warm-up
Here’s the correct sequence again:

Green Amber Red Red & Amber Green

Algorithms
• Traffic lights are usually controlled
by a computer and are programmed
to follow the same sequence over
and over again.

• These sequences are called

algorithms.

• Some traffic light algorithms on

busy roads are very complex,
containing many steps. Others are
much shorter and are easier to
predict.
Algorithms
An algorithm is a step-by-step set of instructions or a
set of rules to perform a specific task or solve a
particular problem. It is a well-defined procedure
that, when followed, guarantees the solution to the
problem or the completion of the task. Algorithms
are fundamental in computer science and are used in
various fields to automate processes and make
decisions. Even a recipe can be considered an
algorithm. If you follow the instructions exactly, you
will reproduce the recipe.

In maths, an algorithm serves as a systematic and

well-defined procedure used to tackle various
problems and tasks. For example, you could use an
algorithm to help you classify shapes. It would guide
the process of categorising these shapes based on
criteria such as the number of sides or specific
geometric properties. By following the sequence of
steps, you provide a structured and systematic
approach to problem-solving and ensure accuracy
 Algorithm Challenge
Let's try creating an algorithm for making a cup of tea.

Working in small groups of 2-3 students, write

down a precise set of instructions (a step-by- step
method) that anyone could follow to make a cup
of tea.

You have 5 minutes!

TIME’
Click here

1
4
3
2
to
S
START
UP
Cup of Tea
Algorithm
Is your algorithm anything like this?

1. Fill a kettle with water and switch it on to

boil.
2. Place a teabag into a mug.
3. Wait for water to boil.
4. Pour the water into the mug. Fill the mug
with water until it is about 80-90% full.
5. Leave the teabag in the hot water for 2
minutes so that it can stew.
6. Add milk if wanted.
7. Add sugar if wanted.
8. Remove the teabag from the mug.
9. Stir the tea until it resembles a uniform
mixture.
10. Serve and enjoy!
 Flowcharts
We can also display our algorithm in a flowchart.
A flowchart is a visual representation of a process or algorithm, using various
shapes and arrows to illustrate the steps of the sequence and the flow of
information. It is a diagrammatic tool commonly used in fields such as
computer programming, business process modelling and problem-solving to
depict the logical steps and decision points within a system.

Key Term
An algorithm is a set of
step-by-step instructions
to describe a task or
process. Pause for Thought
So putting these
Key Term together, we could say
A flowchart is a visual
that a flowchart is a
method for describing
visual method for
algorithms.
describing a set of step-
by-step instructions for a
task or process.
 Flowcharts
In a flowchart:

Shapes: Different shapes represent different elements in the process. For example:

Symbol Name Function

Oval Indicates the start or end of the process.

Rectangl
Represents a process or activity.
e

Denotes a decision point, where a yes/no question

Diamond
or condition is evaluated.

Shows the flow of the process from one step to

another. Arrows connect the shapes and illustrate
Arrow
the direction of the flow, indicating the sequence in
which the steps or decisions are executed.

Flow Direction: Typically, the flow of the process goes from top to bottom or left
to right, following the sequence of steps in the algorithm.
 Start

Flowcharts Fill a kettle with water

and switch it on to boil.
Turning our algorithm into a Water
No wait
flowchart could look like this. Yes boiled?
Pour the water into the
mug containing a tea
bag.
Has the tea
stewed wait
enough?
No

Do you want
Yes Add the
milk or sugar?
No milk
and/or
Remove the teabag from the
sugar.
mug.

Stir the tea.

No
Is everything
dissolved?
Yes
Serve and
Enjoy!
 Flowcharts
When drawing flowcharts we need to remember the following:
We always start at the top of the flowchart.
We then work our way down the flowchart from top to bottom, one step at a
time.
The flowchart algorithm finishes at the bottom. This oval is called a
We need to learn the correct flowchart symbols. terminal.
Start
A rectangular box is
Put water in kettle and switch
called a process.
on.
This diamond is called a
Is the water decision.
boiled?
The arrows are called
Put teabag in cup or flow lines.
mug.
This oval is also called a
Stop terminal.
 Flowcharts Challenge One

Refer to the worksheet titled Flowchart Challenge One

Using your knowledge of flowcharts, help the echidna move from its starting position to
home.
The echidna should avoid all the dingoes and eat as many termites as it can.
There is a catch!
You can only use the following commands...
 Flowcharts Challenge One
You can only use the following commands. You can use them in any
combination and as many times as you like in your flowchart.

Start Forward n steps Turn left Turn right

You can put any number of steps here,

Stop
e.g. Forward 1 step, or Forward 5
steps

This is
home

The echidna
starts facing
upwards.
Flowcharts Challenge One
Not quite sure how to get started?

Try something like this...

Start

Forward 2 steps

Turn right

Forward 1 step

Turn left

Forward 5 steps
 Flowcharts Challenge One
When you’ve finished... Review

• How many termites were you able

to guide the echidna into
catching?
• Compare your flowchart with the
person’s next to you.

 Did they get more termites than

you?
 Whose flowchart is the longest?

 Could one flowchart be considered

more effective or efficient than the
other? What criteria do you think
we could use to determine which
one is more effective or efficient?
 Flowcharts Challenge One
Review

Pause for
Thought
How long was your
flowchart?
Can you think of a
way to make it
shorter?
 Flowcharts Challenge Two
Refer to the worksheet titled
Flowchart Challenge Two

• Create a new garden map for the

echidna.
• Draw some termites and dingoes on
any of the squares on your map.
• When you’ve finished, swap your map
with the person next to you.
• Their challenge is to use your map to
draw a flowchart that guides the
echidna back home while eating as
many termites as possible and
avoiding all the dingoes.
• Your challenge is to do the same using
their map!
 Test Your Knowledge
What is an algorithm? What is a flowchart?

a special type of computer a chart for guiding

program used by smartphones echidnas back to their
homes
a set of step-by-step instructions a method for making a
to describe a task or process great cup of tea

a strong and lightweight metal a visual method for

used to make aircraft describing algorithms

What do we call this What do we call this

flowchart symbol? flowchart symbol?

Turn Left Start

a terminal a terminal

a process a process

a flow line a flow line

Let’s Bring It All
Together
Key Term
An algorithm is a set of
step-by-step instructions to
describe a task or process.

Key Term
A flowchart is a visual
method for describing
algorithms.

Pause for Thought

So putting these together, we
could say that a flowchart is
a visual method for
describing a set of step-by-
step instructions for a task or
process.