Swap Three Numbers

Learning Objectives

• Perform 3-variable cyclic swaps accurately.
• Avoid assignment-overwrite mistakes.
• Trace value movement step by step.

Concept Explanation

For three values A, B, C, swapping is usually done as rotation:

• Clockwise: A->B, B->C, C->A
• Anti-clockwise: A->C, C->B, B->A

Clockwise Algorithm

1. temp = A
2. A = C
3. C = B
4. B = temp

Example

Initial: A=1, B=2, C=3
Clockwise result: A=3, B=1, C=2

Common Mistakes

• No temp variable, causing data loss.
• Defining rotation goal incorrectly.
• Forgetting to print both before/after values.

Practice Tasks

1. Implement clockwise rotation.
2. Implement anti-clockwise rotation.
3. Extend to rotate 4 values.

Summary

Define target mapping first, then write assignments.