Problem Analysis and Solution

• A computer is a general-purpose electronic machine used to solve problems
• Programming techniques are used to instruct computers to perform tasks

Problem Analysis and Solution

• Problem-solving on a computer involves translating human problem-solving methods into a set of instructions understandable by the computer
• The initial stage of problem-solving is defining the problem, requiring a clear understanding of its requirements
• Steps to properly define a problem:
• Read the problem to understand the requirements.
• Identify what the problem asks to do.
• Determine what information can be obtained from the problem.
• Define the required calculation for the problem's solution.
• Analyzing the problem requires investigating it and gathering information to find a solution
• Questions to analyze a problem:
• Is it solvable on a computer?
• What needs to be done to find the solution?
• What is the proper sequence of steps?
• What are the necessary inputs and required output?
• How many potential solutions exist?
• Which solution is the best and why?
• How will the solution be implemented?
• Planning a solution involves dividing it into steps and arranging them in a logical order
• When discussing a problem:
• Communicate with someone who can resolve the issue.
• Focus on the problem with the product or service.
• Stay calm and provide evidence.
• State the desired outcome, ask for specific solutions.
• Expect questions and be prepared to ask for clarification..
• Be open to walking away and following up later.
• Listen to the response and ask for time to consider it.
• Consider:
• If the response resolves the issue.
• Whether to continue if the response is unsatisfactory
• Whether you have legal rights to carry the matter further.
• Candid solutions are all the correct possible solutions to a problem, found by exploring different methods
• After finding candid solutions, select the best one based on efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and simplicity

Algorithm

• An algorithm is a method, procedure, technique, or plan and a step-by-step problem-solving method
• Algorithms consist of clearly defined steps to solve a problem
• Algorithms are important in computer programming because it is the first step in developing a program
• Efficiency relates the algorithm to the computational resources it uses
• Analyzing efficiency compares the efficiency of different solution methods

Algorithms for Solving Problems

• Example: Finding the sum, product, and average of five numbers:
• Input: Five given numbers
• Output: Sum, product, and average of the numbers
• Processing: Addition, multiplication, and division
• Algorithm Steps:
• start
• Assign values to five numbers
• Calculate the sum
• Calculate the product
• Calculate the average
• Output the sum, product, and average
• stop
• Example: Finding the largest of three unequal numbers:
• Input: Three unequal numbers
• Output: The largest of the three numbers
• Processing: Comparison of each number with the other two
• Algorithm Steps:
• Start
• Assign values to three numbers
• Check if the first number is the largest (if yes, proceed)
• Check if the second number is the largest (if yes, proceed)
• Assign the third number as the largest
• Output the largest number
• Stop
• Example: Finding acceleration of a moving object:
• Input: Mass and Force
• Output: Acceleration of the moving object
• Processing: Divide the force by the mass (A=F/M)
• Steps:
• Start
• Assign values to mass and force
• Calculate the acceleration
• Output the acceleration
• Stop
• Example: Finding the volume of a cube:
• Input: Length of a side
• Output: Volume of cube
• Processing: Cube the length of side (V=LLL)
• Steps:
• Start
• Assign value to length of a side
• Calculate the volume
• Output the volume
• Stop
• Example: Finding the area of a triangle:
• Input: Height, Base
• Output: Area of a triangle
• Processing: A=(B*H)/2
• Steps:
• Start
• Assign values to height and base
• Calculate the area
• Output the area
• Stop
• Example: Algorithm to assign grades based on marks:
• Input: Marks
• Output: Letter Grade
• Processing:
• Check which mark range it falls into accordingly
• Algorithm:
  • If M≥80, Grade A1
  • If M≥70, Grade A
  • If M≥60, Grade B
  • If M≥50, Grade C
  • If M≥40, Grade D
  • If M≥33, Grade E
  • Otherwise, Ungraded
• Example: Find the exponent of a given number
• Input: Number, exponent
• Output: Exponent of given number
• Processing: Exponent or power of a number, the number of times to multiply a number
• steps:
• Let the number be N and exponent E
• Initialize product (P) and K to 1
• Find product (P) N*P
• Increment K by 1
• Check if the value of K is less than or equal to E, if so repeat from step 3
• Output P
• Stop
• Example: Printing odd numbers from 1 to 100
• Input: This problem has no input
• Output: List of odd numbers form 1 to 100
• Processing: Initialize a variable to 1 and keeps printing it with an increment of 2 till 99
• steps:
• Initialize a variable K to 1
• Output K
• Increment K by 2
• check if value of K is less than 100, if not, repeat step 2
• Stop
• Example: Printing a sequence of numbers in descending order
• Input: The sequence of numbers
• Output: Print list of numbers in descending order
• Processing: Initialize a variable to 27 and then keep printing it with a decrement of 3 till -6
• steps:
• Initialize variable K to 27
• Output K
• decreases K by 3
• check if value of K is greater than or equal to -6, if not, repeat step 2
• Stop
• Example: Print the sum of even numbers up to 100
• Input: This problem has no input
• Output: Total sum of all variables
• Processing: Add all even numbers from 2 to 100
• Steps:
• Initialize SUM to 0, and K to 2
• Add K to SUM
• Increment K by 2
• Check if the value of K is less than or equal to 100

Flowcharts

• A flowchart is a diagram that represents an algorithm and describes the operations required to solve a problem
• They analyze problems and find solutions; also makes it easy to write the program in a code language and removes errors in computer programs
• Requirements for creating a flowchart:
• Input to the flowchart
• Type of processing required
• Decisions to be taken
• Output produced after processing
• Flowchart developer requirements:
• Input: Know what comes in. Determined from the given problem.
• Processing: Decide the type of calculation performed
• Decisions: What control structures to apply for the problem's solution
• Output: Must provide the required output
• Standard symbols are used to draw flowcharts, connected by arrows
• Line with arrow: Connects various flowchart symbols and indicates flow of control in flowchart
• Rounded Rectangle: Indicates the start or end of a flowchart
• Parallelogram: Represents input or output operations within a flowchart
• Rectangle: Used for any data processing operation within a flowchart
• Diamond: Represents a decision in a flowchart and contains a condition