# Thread: Math Problem with Flow Diagram

1. ## Math Problem with Flow Diagram

Hello,

I have been trying to work this out for a couple of days and I am stuck. Could someone please help me understand how to use this flow diagram.

My basic understanding is that I assign values and then step through the diagram 1 iteration at a time until I get a result. However, I do not understand the circle with a vertical line symbol.

I have been trying to make this in excel. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2. ## Re: Math Problem with Flow Diagram

Originally Posted by mathdumby1
Hello,

I have been trying to work this out for a couple of days and I am stuck. Could someone please help me understand how to use this flow diagram.

My basic understanding is that I assign values and then step through the diagram 1 iteration at a time until I get a result. However, I do not understand the circle with a vertical line symbol.

I have been trying to make this in excel. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I guess you are talking about the Greek letter phi: $\phi$ or $\Phi$. In the flow chart it represents some function that you are giving some values, evaluating $\Phi$ for those values and making decisions accordingly. So when you see expressions like $\Phi_2 = \Phi(\alpha_2)$ the phi's with the subscripts are the values of the $\Phi$ function at the $\alpha$'s.