In a flowchart, the diamond-shaped symbol (used to represent conditional…
2016
In a flowchart, the diamond-shaped symbol (used to represent conditional statements) has:
- A.
two incoming lines and two outgoing lines
- B.
one incoming line and one outgoing line
- C.
one incoming line and two outgoing lines
- D.
two incoming lines and one outgoing line
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Correct answer: C
Concept
A flowchart symbol's number of connectors is fixed by its logical role. A decision (conditional) symbol — drawn as a diamond — tests a single condition and must split the flow into separate paths, one for each possible outcome of that test (e.g. true/false).
Application
A condition has exactly two mutually exclusive outcomes, so the diamond receives the flow from one place and sends it to two:
one incoming line: control reaches the diamond from a single preceding step.
two outgoing lines: after the condition is evaluated, flow leaves along one of two branches, typically labelled 'Yes'/'No' (or 'True'/'False').
Contrast
Checking the other counts against the decision role:
'two incoming lines' would describe a merge/connector joining paths, not a test that originates a branch.
'one incoming line and one outgoing line' is a straight-through process/action box (rectangle): it transforms data but makes no choice.
'two incoming lines and one outgoing line' merges paths into one — the opposite of branching, so it cannot encode a condition.
Only one entry feeding two exits matches a conditional test: one incoming line and two outgoing lines.