To create an algorithm that assists a school in calculating its canteen expenses summing up to 12 cedis, we'll outline a clear step-by-step process. The final output will involve displaying the result in a constant variable, let's name that constant `P`. Below is a structured algorithm that works in seven simple steps.
### Algorithm
1. **START**
Begin the algorithm.
2. **Initialize Variables**
Set a constant variable `P = 12`.
Additionally, you may want to initialize a variable `sum = 0` to hold the accumulated expenses.
3. **Input Item Prices**
Prompt the user to enter the prices of items sold in the canteen until the total reaches or exceeds 12 cedis.
Use a loop to continue prompting for prices.
4. **Update Sum**
For each entered price, add it to `sum`.
If `sum` exceeds 12, alert the user that they have exceeded the budget.
5. **Check Total**
If `sum` equals 12, confirm to the user that they have met the target of 12 cedis.
If `sum` is less than 12, inform the user how much more they need to reach 12 cedis.
6. **Display Result**
Set `P = sum` if `sum` equals 12, and prepare to display the result.
Display the message: “Total Canteen Expenses: P cedis”.
7. **STOP**
End the algorithm.
### Pseudocode
```plaintext
1. START
2. P = 12
3. sum = 0
4. WHILE sum < P DO
a. PROMPT "Enter the price of the item:"
b. INPUT price
c. sum = sum + price
d. IF sum > P THEN
i. DISPLAY "Exceeded the budget!"
e. ENDIF
ENDWHILE
5. IF sum == P THEN
a. DISPLAY "You have met the target of 12 cedis."
ELSE
a. DISPLAY "You need " + (P - sum) + " more cedis to reach 12 cedis."
ENDIF
6. DISPLAY "Total Canteen Expenses: " + sum + " cedis."
7. STOP
```
### Explanation
- **Start**: The algorithm initiates at step 1.
- **Initialization**: A constant `P` is used to define the target sum (12 cedis).
- **Input Loop**: The algorithm continues to accept item prices until the total reaches or exceeds 12 cedis.
- **Updating the Sum**: Each time a price is entered, it's added to the `sum`. If the total exceeds 12, a warning is issued.
- **Check and Display**: The final decision checks if the `sum` is equal to or less than 12 and displays the appropriate messages.
- **End**: The process concludes gracefully.
This algorithm can be implemented in any programming language to facilitate the canteen calculations effectively.