AQA D1 2011 June — Question 6

Exam BoardAQA
ModuleD1 (Decision Mathematics 1)
Year2011
SessionJune
TopicSign Change & Interval Methods
TypeTrace Algorithm or Flowchart

6 A student is tracing the following algorithm.
Line 10 Let \(A = 6\)
Line \(20 \quad\) Let \(B = 7\)
Line 30 Input \(C\)
Line 40 Let \(D = ( A + B ) / 2\)
Line \(50 \quad\) Let \(E = C - D ^ { 3 }\)
Line 60 If \(E ^ { 2 } < 1\) then go to Line 120
Line 70 If \(E > 0\) then go to Line 100
Line 80 Let \(B = D\)
Line 90 Go to Line 40
Line \(100 \quad\) Let \(A = D\)
Line 110 Go to Line 40
Line 120 Stop
  1. Trace the algorithm in the case where the input value is \(C = 300\).
  2. The algorithm is intended to find the approximate cube root of any input number. State two reasons why the algorithm is unsatisfactory in its present form.
    (3 marks)