← Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

Writing an algorithm as numbered steps

A written algorithm step. Each line has one number and one action, and starts with a command word like Get, Add or Show. Steps go 1, 2, 3 in order.

Part of: 5-6 Digital Technologies Vic Curric - Creating Digital Solutions — Module 10, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 5–6 — Algorithms with Branching and Repetition — Module 3, ACARA Digital Technologies Years 7–8 — Algorithms, Flowcharts and Pseudocode — Module 3

Understanding Writing an algorithm as numbered steps in Years 5–6 Creating Digital Solutions

What it does: The two actions, getting the milk and adding it, are on separate lines with their own numbers. The numbers go 1, 2, 3 in order, and every line starts with a command word: Get, Add, Show. Each line has just one action. This makes the algorithm easy to follow and easy to check. Steps are numbered 1, 2, 3 in order. Every step gets the next number. Command words like Add tell the computer what to do. Start each step with one. Show is an action word. Tasty describes something, so it does not tell us what to do. The number comes first, then the command word and the action.

Common mistakes: The steps must be numbered 1, 2, 3 in order. This step skips from 2 to 4, so it should start with 3. Every step must start with a command word. '1. A cup' does not tell the computer what to do. It should be '1. Get a cup'.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 1–10) and word search (Modules 1–20).

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Learning
Duo
Which is a well-written algorithm step?
2. Get the milkMilk
Matches
1. Get a cup and add water
↓
This step has two actions in one line. Split it into 1. Get a cup and 2. Add water.
Applying
Meanings
Term
1. Get a bowl
Meaning
A written algorithm step. Each line has one number and one action, and starts with a command word like Get, Add or Show. Steps go 1, 2, 3 in order.
Practice
1. Get a bowl
Testing
Gaps
1. a bowl
Check Answer
Spots
22. Add the cereal
34. Add the milk

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Quick Questions

1. Which is a well-written algorithm step?
A. 2. Get the milk ✓
B. Milk
A good step has a number and starts with a command word like Get. It says what action to do.
2. How many actions should one step have?
A. As many actions as you can fit
B. One action per step ✓
Each line has just one action. This makes the algorithm easy to follow and easy to check.
3. Which list of steps is numbered correctly?
A. 1. Get a bowl 1. Add cereal 1. Show the bowl
B. 1. Get a bowl 2. Add cereal 3. Show the bowl ✓
Steps are numbered 1, 2, 3 in order. Every step gets the next number.
4. Which step starts with a command word?
A. 3. Add the milk ✓
B. 3. The milk is added
Command words like Add tell the computer what to do. Start each step with one.
5. Which step has only ONE action?
A. 1. Get a cup ✓
B. 1. Get a cup and fill it and drink it
The wrong step has three actions. Split them into three numbered steps.

Match the Pairs

1. Get a bowl → Step 1 starts with the command word Get and tells you to do one action
3. Show the score → Step 3 starts with the command word Show and tells the computer to display something
Each step has only one action, so every action gets its own numbered line → 1. Get the milk 2. Add the milk to the bowl
Steps are numbered 1, 2, 3 in order, and each one starts with a command word → 1. Get a cup 2. Add water 3. Show the cup
1. Get a cup and add water → This step has two actions in one line. Split it into 1. Get a cup and 2. Add water.
1. Get a plate 3. Add toast 2. Show the plate → The step numbers are out of order. They must go 1, 2, 3 in order.

Key Term

1. Get a bowl
A written algorithm step. Each line has one number and one action, and starts with a command word like Get, Add or Show. Steps go 1, 2, 3 in order.

Fill in the Blanks

1. 1. Get a bowl
Hint: Type the command word that starts a step about fetching an item.
2. 1. Get a bowl 2. Add the cereal
Hint: Type the number for the step that comes right after step 1.
3. 1. Get a cup 2. Add water 3. Show the full cup
Hint: Type the command word for putting something into the cup.
4. 1. Get a cup 2. Add water 3. Show the full cup
Hint: Type the command word used when the algorithm displays the result.
5. 1. Get a bowl 2. Add milk 3. Show the bowl
Hint: Type the number of the last step in this list of three.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A 1. Get a bowl
B 2. Add the cereal
C 4. Add the milk
D 4. Show the breakfast
Line C — The steps must be numbered 1, 2, 3 in order. This step skips from 2 to 4, so it should start with 3.
Question 2
A 1. A cup
B 2. Add water
C 3. Add a tea bag
D 4. Show the tea
Line A — Every step must start with a command word. '1. A cup' does not tell the computer what to do. It should be '1. Get a cup'.
Question 3
A 1. Get two slices of bread
B 2. Add butter and then add jam
C 3. Add jam
D 4. Show the sandwich
Line B — Each step should have only one action. This line has two actions, so it should be split. Step 2 should be just '2. Add butter'.
Question 4
A Get the player's score
B 2. Add 10 to the score
C 3. Show the score
Line A — Each step needs a number at the start. This line is missing its number. It should be '1. Get the player's score'.
Question 5
A 1. Get a bowl
B 2. Add the pasta
C 2. Add the sauce
D 4. Show the meal
Line C — Two steps are numbered 2. Numbers must go 1, 2, 3, 4 with no repeats. This step should be numbered 3.

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