Observation

The expected answers were:

(a)        An algorithm is a procedure consisting of a finite set of unambiguous rules (instructions) which specify a finite sequence of operations that provide the solution to a problem.

OR

            It is a step-by-step procedure to solve a given problem.

(b)        Three characteristics of an algorithm:

• Finite                                                                                                  
• Effectiveness                                                                                     
• Unambiguous                                                                                     

(c)        Algorithm for finding the average of six numbers:
1.         Start
2.         Get the sum of the Six numbers
3.         Compute average: Average = Sum/6
4.         Output the Average
5.         Stop                                                                                                    

The questions here tested Candidates’ knowledge of “Programming Languages” but unfortunately, most of the candidates did not respond to the question correctly.