Counts, totals and rogue values

Overview

Count in an algorithm, running total and term rogue value.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1. 1

   What is a count in an algorithm?

   Model answer

   A count is a variable recording how many times something has happened. The count is increased by one at each occurrence.

2. 2

   How is a count initialised and updated?

   Model answer

   A count is set to zero before the loop begins. The statement count = count + 1 increases it inside the loop.

3. 3

   What is a running total?

   Model answer

   A running total is a variable that accumulates values as a loop runs. Each new value is added to the total already held.

4. 4

   How is a running total initialised and updated?

   Model answer

   A total is set to zero before the loop begins. The statement total = total + value adds each item inside the loop.

5. 5

   Why must a count or a total be initialised outside the loop?

   Model answer

   An initialisation placed inside the loop would reset the variable on every pass. The final value would then be wrong.

6. 6

   Define the term rogue value.

   Model answer

   A rogue value is a value entered to signal the end of a set of data. The value is not part of the data and is not processed.

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