Class 10 Computer Science: Chapter 2 – Computational Thinking & Algorithms

Solved Long Questions covering computational thinking concepts, algorithm design, flowcharts, pseudocode, and more.

Back to Chapter 2 MCQs

Class 10 Chapter 2: Long Question Answers (Computational Thinking & Algorithms)

Published by NBF StudyHub | Category: Class 10 Computer Science | Chapter 2 LQAs

1. What is computational thinking? Explain its key components with examples.

Answer: Computational thinking is a problem-solving process that includes understanding the problem, breaking it down, and creating algorithms.

  • Decomposition: Breaking problems into smaller parts. E.g., breaking a recipe into steps.
  • Pattern Recognition: Finding similarities or patterns. E.g., spotting repeated steps in algorithms.
  • Abstraction: Focusing on important information only. E.g., ignoring details when planning a trip.
  • Algorithm Design: Creating step-by-step instructions to solve problems.

2. Define algorithm and list its characteristics.

Answer: An algorithm is a finite sequence of well-defined instructions to solve a problem.

  • Clear and unambiguous
  • Well-ordered steps
  • Finite length
  • Input and output specified
  • Effective and feasible

3. Explain the difference between algorithm and flowchart.

Answer: An algorithm is a textual step-by-step solution, while a flowchart is a graphical representation of that algorithm using symbols.

Flowcharts use shapes like ovals (start/end), parallelograms (input/output), rectangles (process), diamonds (decision) to illustrate flow.

4. Write pseudocode to find the largest of three numbers.

Answer:

START
  INPUT num1, num2, num3
  IF num1 > num2 AND num1 > num3 THEN
    largest = num1
  ELSE IF num2 > num3 THEN
    largest = num2
  ELSE
    largest = num3
  ENDIF
  OUTPUT largest
END

5. What are the types of algorithms? Explain any two with examples.

Answer:

  • Linear Search: Sequentially checking each element. Example: Searching a name in a list.
  • Binary Search: Dividing the list into halves to find an element quickly. Example: Finding a word in a dictionary.
  • Sorting Algorithms: Organizing data in order (e.g., Bubble sort, Merge sort).

6. Explain the concept of iteration and decision making in algorithms.

Answer: Iteration refers to repeating a set of instructions until a condition is met (loops). Decision making involves choosing between alternative paths based on conditions.

Examples:

  • Iteration: Looping to print numbers 1 to 10.
  • Decision Making: If-else statements to check age eligibility.

7. How do flowcharts help in problem solving?

Answer: Flowcharts visually represent the sequence of steps, making complex processes easier to understand, debug, and communicate.

8. Describe the difference between pseudocode and programming languages.

Answer: Pseudocode is a simplified, informal description of an algorithm using plain language. Programming languages have strict syntax and are used to write executable code.

9. What is the importance of algorithm efficiency?

Answer: Algorithm efficiency impacts how fast and resource-optimized a solution is. Efficient algorithms save time, memory, and computing power, especially for large inputs.