Text and flow chart for Exercise 1 & 2
A decision between X, Y, and Z depends on the factors F1, F2, and F3.
F1 may take the value a or b, F2 may take the value a or b, and F3 may take the
value c or d. The flow chart shows how the decision is taken.
Example 1
1. Which of the following statements is or are correct?
I. If F1 = a, then X is always selected.
II. If F2 = b, then X is always selected.
Degree of difficulty: low
Solution
The correct solution is (D).
Statement I is incorrect:
If F1 = a, then the first question is answered “YES”. Then you come to the decision step below that.
If F2 = a, then the second question is also answered “YES” and you go right to the next decision step.
If F3 = d, this question is also answered
“YES” and you come to decision Y. Hence it is possible that F1 = a and Y is selected, not X.
Statement II is also incorrect:
If F1 = b, you go right from the first decision step. The question in this decision step is “F2 = a?”.
If F2 = b and you hence answer the question “NO”,
you come directly to decision Z. Hence it is possible that F2 = b and Z is selected, not X.
Example 2
III. If F3 = c, then X is always selected.
IV. If F2 = a, then Z is never selected
Degree of difficulty: medium
Solution
The correct solution is (B).
Statement I is incorrect:
If F1 = a, then the first question is answered “YES”.
Then you come to the decision step below that.
Then you come to the decision step below that. If F2 = b,
then the second question is answered “NO” and you move down and select X.
Statement II is correct:
The only way to decision Z is via the decision step at the top right (F2 = a?).
If F2 = a, then the question is answered “YES” and
you move to the decision step below, from where you can only go to X or Y.