Day 1
Improv exercise: The class tells a story. Each member of the class add a sentence of the story using the last word from the previous member.
Example:
Professor: I’m here to sell you a xylophone.
Student1: I don’t want a xylophone, do you have bongos.
Student2: Bongos make me sick.
Student3: I was sick after ate at McDonalds.
Student4: Hey! I work at McDonalds.
Student5: You work at McDonalds? No wonder you are broke.
Day 2
1)
What is a
computer program?
a) Instructions for the computer written in a
vocabulary the computer understands
b) Unambiguous (CLEAR, no ambiguity)
c) Followed exactly as written – order
matters
2) What is computer programming?
a) Writing instructions
b) Testing program
c) Debugging program
Definitions of computer programming:
From wikipedia: the process of writing, testing, debugging/troubleshooting, and maintaining the source code of computer programs.
Algorithm – a set of instructions for solving a problem that can used repeatedly.
3) A computer program has 3 fundamental pieces – sequence, selection and iteration – today we are going to focus on sequence or the order in which instructions are executed – briefly explain what selection and iteration are
a) Sequence: the order in which instructions are executed
b) Selection: instructions are executed only if a specific condition is met
c) Iteration: instructions are executed repeatedly.
4) A computer program must be translated into machine language for the computer to execute it. Discuss the difference between compiler (converts all of the code to machine language before executing) and interpreter (converts one line of code at a time and immediately executes each line before moving to the next line). Talk about the difference between syntax errors and logic errors.
a) Syntax error: - incorrect word used, incorrect punctuation
b) Logic error: - syntax is correct but when it executes you don’t get the result you want because of an error in the logic of your program.
5) Write
directions to the Math Lab (B130) / Computer Lab (B 225) using a limited set of
words.
Vocabulary: Walk, turn (assume 90 degree turn), step(s), down (or up), right,
left, open, door
Day 3
Bill, Ken, and Mark are, not necessarily in this order, a kicker, a receiver, and a quarterback. The kicker, who is the shortest of the three, has never been married. Bill, who is Ken's father-in-law, is taller than the receiver. Who plays in which position?
Matrix logic (or 2D chart) can be used as a way to organize information and help you eliminate possibilities in a systematic way. A logic matrix sets up a one-to-one correspondence between the elements in a problem. When doing matrix logic it is VERY IMPORTANT to read the instructions, pay attention to detail, organize your thoughts, make notes, etc.
Ted, Ken, Allyson and Janie (two married couples) each have a favorite sport: running, swimming, biking and golf. Given the following clues, determine who likes which sport.
1. Ted hates golf.
2. Ken wouldn’t run around the block if he didn’t have to, and neither would his wife.
3. Each woman’s favorite sport is featured in a triathlon.
4. Allyson bought her husband a new bike for his birthday to use in his favorite sport.
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SPORTS |
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NAMES |
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Running |
Swimming |
Biking |
Golf |
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Ted |
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Ken |
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Allyson |
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Janie |
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Use “X” for “No” and “O” for “Yes”
1) Sometimes there are more variables in the problem – if this is the case we need a larger matrix
Tom, John, Fred and Bill are friends whose occupations are (in no particular order) nurse, secretary, teacher and pilot. They attended a picnic recently, and each one brought his favorite meat (hamburger, chicken, steak and hot dogs) to barbecue. From the clues below, determine each man’s occupation and favorite meat.
1. Tom is neither the nurse nor the teacher. (Tom/Teacher, Tom/Nurse)
2. Fred and the pilot play in a jazz band together. (Fred/Pilot)
3. The burger lover and the teacher are not musically inclined. (Burger/Teacher)
Also:
Fred/Burger, Fred/Teacher, Pilot/Burger
4. Tom brought the hot dogs. (X in rows, columns for Tom/Hot Dog)
5.
Bill sat next to the burger fan and across from
the steak lover. (Bill/Burger, Bill/Steak
KNOW ALL
MEATS
Also: Burger lover is not teacher or pilot -> john bought burgers -> john not teacher or pilot
KNOW BILL
IS TEACHER, TOM IS PILOT
6. The secretary does not play an instrument or sing. (Fred/Secretary)
KNOW FRED
IS NURSE, JOHN IS SECRETARY
Use the matrix below to work this problem. Use “X” to represent a “No” and “O” to represent a “Yes”.
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OCCUPATIONS |
MEAT |
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Nurse |
Scty |
Tchr |
Pilot |
Burg |
Chkn |
Steak |
HDog |
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NAMES |
Tom |
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John |
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Fred |
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Bill |
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MEAT |
Burg |
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Chkn |
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Steak |
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HDog |
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Day 4
The way a computer stores numbers is using combinations of 0 & 1’s. How does the computer store these one’s and zeros? At the most basic level computers look for the presence or absence of an electrical charge. The computer's physical memory consists of millions of transistors, each of which can be in an "off" or "on" state, and these two states can be used to represent the digits 0 and 1 in the binary numbering system. (When data is transferred to a magnetic or optical disk, the "ons" and "offs" of the transistors are converted to patches of up-or-down magnetization on the magnetic medium or light-or-dark spots on the optical medium.)
Binary allows the computer to perform calculations on numbers.
Our numerical world: 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 – 10 digits, BASE 10, decimal system
A number like 2654:
_ 2 6 5 4 2000+600+50+4 = 2654
104 103 102 101 100
10000 1000 100 10 1
A computers numerical world: 0,1 – 2 digits, BASE 2, called the binary number system.
0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 8+2+1 = 11
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20
128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1
Each 1/0 is called a bit, 8 bits are in 1 byte. So in 1 byte the computer can store any number 0-255
– assume a full byte is used to store all numbers:
1 How would I write the number 5 in binary?
2 How would I write the number 150 in binary?
3 What is 00101011 in decimal?
4 What is 10001101 in decimal?
Proceedure (Algorithm) for translating decimal to binary:
1. set position to 7
2. set placeholder to 128
3. if decimal number < placeholder
· print 0
else
· print 1
· set decimal number to decimal number - placeholder
4. set position to position - 1
5. set placeholder to placeholder / 2
6. repeat steps 3 through 5 until position equals -1
Review:
- Computers use a combination of 1’s and 0’s (called bits or binary digits) to store numerical values.
- There are 8 bits in 1 byte. One byte can store any number between 0-255 as a binary number.
- Each bit in the byte has a corresponding decimal value (placeholder) based on the position of the bit. The placeholder is determined by 2position.
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 -- Position
27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20
128 64 32 16 8 4 2 1 -- Placeholder
Exercise: Read through the instructions for converting any decimal number in the range 0 to 255 to a binary number. Keep track of what is stored in each location.
Terminology:
- Position: The rightmost bit is position 0. Positions increase by 1 as you move to the left until you get to position 7 which is the leftmost bit.
- Placeholder: The corresponding decimal value for each position.
- Decimal Number: The number being converted to binary. Keep in mind that the instructions may update the decimal number to a different value as needed.
Day 5
Make a systematic list of all the ways you can order the bits 0 and 1 into a 3 digit sequence, for example, 010.
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Bit 1 |
Bit 2 |
Bit 3 |
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0 |
0 |
0 |
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0 |
0 |
1 |
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0 |
1 |
0 |
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0 |
1 |
1 |
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1 |
0 |
0 |
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1 |
0 |
1 |
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1 |
1 |
0 |
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1 |
1 |
1 |
8 different ways
Ask for answers and then go over it using systematic lists.
Systematic Lists
Another way of solving a problem is to make a systematic list. A systematic list is generated to organize information in a methodical way.
A table is an easy way to organize a list – the columns are labeled with the information of the problem and the rows are the different possibilities
2) Leslie has 25 cents in her pocket but does not have a quarter. If you can tell her all possible combinations of coins she could have that add up to 25 cents, she will give you the 25 cents.
What would you put as the column headings? How could you systematically determine all the possibilities?
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Dimes |
Nickels |
Pennies |
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2 |
1 |
0 |
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2 |
0 |
5 |
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1 |
3 |
0 |
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1 |
2 |
5 |
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1 |
1 |
10 |
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1 |
0 |
15 |
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0 |
5 |
0 |
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0 |
4 |
5 |
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0 |
3 |
10 |
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0 |
2 |
15 |
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0 |
1 |
20 |
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0 |
0 |
25 |
12 possibilities
Andrew and his friends have formed a fantasy football league
in which each team will play one game against each of the other teams. There are 7 teams: Texas A&M
(Aggies), Purdue (Boilermakers),
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Team1 |
Team2 |
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Purdue |
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BC |
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AF |
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Purdue |
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Purdue |
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Purdue |
BC |
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Purdue |
AF |
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Purdue |
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BC |
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AF |
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BC |
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AF |
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BC |
AF |
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BC |
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AF |
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The object of Frisbin is to throw three Frisbees at three different-sized bins that are set up on the ground about 20 feet away from the player. If a Frisbee lands in the largest bin, the player scores 1 point. If a Frisbee lands in the medium-sized bin, the player scores 5 points. If a Frisbee lands in the smallest bin, the player scores 10 points. Kirk McCoy is playing the game. If all three of his Frisbees land in bins, how many different total scores can he make?
For her Shakespeare course, Kristen is to read all five of the following plays and choose three of them to write papers about: Richard III, The Tempest, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Othello. How many different sets of books can Kristen write papers about?
Day 6
So far we’ve talked about the following topics with regard to computer programs: sequence of instructions, limited vocabulary, types of errors (syntax vs. logic), how the computer stores information – today we are going to talk about how a computer can make decisions based upon certain circumstances or conditions. Before we get into the specifics of how the computer does this, let’s talk about decisions in every day life:
- How do you determine if you need an umbrella? (if it is raining, then use an umbrella)
- How do you determine if you need a jacket? (if the temperature is below 70 degrees, then I need a jacket)
- How do you determine if you have to come to CSC 104 class? (if it is Tuesday or Wednesday, then I have CSC 104)
- How does the clerk at a store determine if you can purchase beer or they should send you home? (if the person is 21 or older, then sell beer, else send home)
Life is full of decisions!
The computer makes decisions as well. These decisions are called selection statements or conditional statements and are typically referred to as “if statements” or “if then statements” because they follow the syntax (if x, then y, end if). The computer can handle simple if statements, simple if/else statements, complex if and if/else statements as well as nested if and if/else statements. Today we are going to focus on simple if, simple if/else statements and if time permits, nested if/else statements.
An ‘if statement’ allows the computer to check a condition and decide which statement(s) to execute based upon the evaluation of that condition. A condition evaluates to true or false. If the condition is true, the “then” statement(s) are executed, if the condition is false, the “else” statement(s) are executed.
Simple if
statements
Structure:
if (value1 relationalOperator value2) then
statement(s) to be executed if the condition evaluates to TRUE
end if
· The “value1 relationalOperator value2” is called a condition and will be placed in parenthesis. You can compare numbers, characters, text, colors, etc.
· There are 6 relational operators:
< less than
> greater than
<= less than or equal to
>= greater than or equal to
= equal to
< > not equal to
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If statement examples |
Results for each of the different values |
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if (weather = “raining”) then bring umbrella end if |
values for weather: raining: bring umbrella sunny: drizzling: |
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if (temp < 70) then bring jacket end if |
values for temp: 65: jacket 70: 80: |
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if (sales > 5000) then bonus is 500 end if |
values for sales: 1000: 5000: 5050: bonus is 500 |
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if (feeling = “hungry”) then eat end if |
values for feeling: full: hungry: eat starving: |
Day 7
Introduction to logical operators. Sometimes you want to evaluate 2 or more conditions in order to make a decision. Conditions are combined using logical operators. Logical operators (OR, AND, NOT) –
Truth Tables:
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X |
NOT X |
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True |
False |
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False |
True |
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X |
Y |
X OR Y |
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True |
True |
True |
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True |
False |
True |
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False |
True |
True |
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False |
False |
False |
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X |
Y |
X AND Y |
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True |
True |
True |
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True |
False |
False |
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False |
True |
False |
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False |
False |
False |
Let’s say you want to determine whether or not it is the proper day/time for CSC104. How would you write that as a complex condition?
if (day = “Tuesday”) AND (time = 1pm) then
CSC 104
end if
You can use more than 1 logical operator in a complex condition – for example
if ((day = “Tuesday”) AND (time = 10am)) OR ((day = “Wednesday”) AND (time = 9:30am))
Order of precedence: use parenthesis, if no parenthesis ANDs are executed first then ORs.
What if we have more than 2 possible actions or multiple values to be checked? We can use additional conditions by placing one if statement within another if statement – this is called nesting if statements. For example,
Let’s say a sporting event charges different prices based upon where a seat is located – seats in the lower balcony cost $100, seats in the middle section cost $60 and seats in the upper deck cost $25. How would you determine the seat price?
if (seatLocation = “lower balcony”) then
price is $100
else
if (seatLocation = “middle section”) then
price is $60
else
price is $25
end if
end if
Notice we don’t need to check if the seat is located in the upper deck because that is the only other option, known as the default.
Complex conditions
Structure:
if (condition1) logicOperator (condition2) then
statement(s) to be executed if the complex condition evaluates to TRUE
else
statement(s) to be executed if the complex condition evaluates to FALSE
end if
Logic Operators: AND, OR
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Complex if and if/else statement examples |
Results for each of the different values |
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if (average >= 70) AND (average < 80) then grade is C end if |
values for average: 60: 70: grade is C 75: grade is C 80: |
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if (average >= 70) OR (average < 80) then grade is C end if |
values for average: 60: grade is C 70: grade is C 75: grade is C 80: grade is C |
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if (age < 12) OR (age >=65) then discounted ticket else regular ticket end if |
values for age: 10: discounted ticket 12: regular ticket 25: regular ticket 65: discounted ticket |
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if (age < 12) AND (age >=65) then discounted ticket else regular ticket end if |
values for age: 10: regular ticket 12: regular ticket 25: regular ticket 65: regular ticket |
Day 8
What if we have more than 2 possible actions or multiple values to be checked? We can use additional conditions by placing one if statement within another if statement – this is called nesting if statements. For example,
Let’s say a sporting event charges different prices based upon where a seat is located – seats in the field level cost $100, seats in the middle section cost $60 and seats in the upper deck cost $25. How would you determine the seat price?
if (seatLocation = “lower balcony”) then
price is $100
else
if (seatLocation = “middle section”) then
price is $60
else
price is $25
end if
end if
Notice we don’t need to check if the seat is located in the upper deck because that is the only other option, known as the default.
Nested if/else
a. Give the nested if/else handout. Be sure to draw flow charts to trace through 2 of the examples.
b. Go over each example and the test values and results.
c. Draw flow charts to trace through the logic of an example.
d. After going over all examples, have students write their own nested if/else statements for all the scenarios on back of handout.
e. Go over as a class once they are finished.
Complete the
results column for each example
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Examples |
Results for each of the different values |
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if (num1 = 2) correct else not correct end if |
values for num1 & num2: num1 num2 result |
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2 2 3 |
5 6 6 |
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if (num1 < > 5) OR (num2 <= 7) correct else not correct end if |
values for num1 & num2: num1 num2 result |
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2 5 3 |
5 2 9 |
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if (age >= 55) then $10 else if (age >= 21) then $15 else if (age >= 5) then $7 else free end if end if end if |
values for age: 56 -> 20 -> 2 -> 5 -> |
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1) “check for school closure” if weather is any one of the following: snowing, icy, snow predicted, “go to school” otherwise
2) “grade is A+” if the average is 95 or higher
3) Determine if a student is “part time”, “full time”, or “full time overloaded” based on the following credit structure:
- 11 or fewer credits: “part time”
- 12 – 17 credits: “full time”
- 18 or more credits: “full time overloaded”
4) “grade is B” if the average is in the 80’s
5) Determine the ticket price based upon the following pricing structure:
a. $5 if 65 or older
b. $10 for anyone under 65
6) When playing war “player 1 wins” if his/her card is higher than player 2, “player 2 wins” if his/her card is higher than player 1, and the players declare “WAR” if their cards have the same value.
CSC104 Exercises:
Simple if statements
Write the following if statements:
1) “get more paper” if the paper count is less than 10.
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If statement |
Results for 3 different test values |
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2) “buy new computer” if the computer’s age is 3 or older.
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If statement |
Results for 3 different test values |
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3) “Grade of A” if a student has an average of 90 or higher.
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If statement |
Results for 3 different test values |
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4) “Return allowed” if a customer is attempting to return an item within 90 days of purchase.
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If statement |
Results for 3 different test values |
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