Trace Tables
Name:
Date:
Class:
A
Quick Questions
Shade in the A or B circle for each question.
1. Does each column in a trace table track one variable?
2. Does each row in a trace table represent one step?
3. Can trace tables help find logic errors?
4. Is a trace table a replacement for writing the algorithm?
5. Does x increase by 1 each loop pass in this example?
B
Match the Pairs
Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.
| Left column | Right column | |
|---|---|---|
| 1Trace table | AWrong - rows track steps, columns track variables | |
| 2Column | BTracks one variable's changing value | |
| 3Represents one step of the algorithm | CTrace table | |
| 4Helps find where an algorithm's logic goes wrong | DWrong - a trace table checks the algorithm, not replaces it | |
| 5A trace table replaces writing the algorithm | EA table that records each variable's value at every step | |
| 6Rows track variables, not steps | FRow |
C
Definitions
Trace table
D
Fill in the Blanks
Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.
1.
Each ______ tracks one variable
2.
Each ___ shows one step
3.
Trace tables help find logic ______
4.
x starts at _ in this algorithm
5.
x _________ by 1 each loop
E
Spot the Error
Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.
Question 1
A
Rows never show steps
B
Trace tables have columns
C
Each column is one variable
Question 2
A
Trace tables track values
B
They never track loop steps
C
They help spot logic errors
Question 3
A
x starts at 1 here
B
The loop runs while x <= 3
C
x never changes value
Question 4
A
Each row is one step
B
Each column is one variable
C
They're a manual technique
D
Trace tables are always code
Question 5
A
The loop checks x <= 3
B
x increases by 1 each pass
C
DISPLAY x shows the value
D
x starts at 1 initially
E
The loop runs forever
Answer Key
Trace Tables
Section A: Quick Questions
Q1
B — Yes
Q2
A — Yes
Q3
A — Yes
Q4
A — No
Q5
B — Yes
Section B: Match the Pairs
Q1
Trace table → A table that records each variable's value at every step
Q2
Column → Tracks one variable's changing value
Q3
Represents one step of the algorithm → Row
Q4
Helps find where an algorithm's logic goes wrong → Trace table
Q5
A trace table replaces writing the algorithm → Wrong - a trace table checks the algorithm, not replaces it
Q6
Rows track variables, not steps → Wrong - rows track steps, columns track variables
Section C: Definitions
Q1
Trace table — A table that records the value of each variable at every step of an algorithm, used to check its logic by hand.Section D: Fill in the Blanks
Q1
Each column tracks one variableQ2
Each row shows one stepQ3
Trace tables help find logic errorsQ4
x starts at 1 in this algorithmQ5
x increases by 1 each loopSection E: Spot the Error
Q1
A — Each row does show one step of the algorithm's execution.
Q2
B — Trace tables do track loop steps, one row at a time.
Q3
C — x changes value each loop, increasing by 1.
Q4
D — Trace tables are a technique for tracking values, not code itself.
Q5
E — The loop stops once x is greater than 3, not forever.