General Problem-Solving

Concepts
Chapter Chapter 11
Concepts
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Contents
1) Problem Solving in Everyday Life
2) Types of Problems
3) Problem Solving with Computers
4) Difficulties in Problem Solving
5) Questions
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1) Problem solving in everyday life
People make decision every day to solve problems
If a bad decision is made , time and resources are
wasted . wasted .
It is important to know how to make decision
well.
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1. Identify the problem
What is the specific problem? .
Clearly define the goal that you want to achieve. (What are Clearly define the goal that you want to achieve. (What are
you trying to achieve?).
Hence, in this step you should be able to determine what
are the inputs and outputs.
If you dont know what the problem is , you cannot solve it .
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2. Understand the problem
You must understand what is involved in the problem before
you can continue toward the solution .
Understanding the knowledge base of the person or machine
for whom you are solving the problem .
If you are setting up a solution for a person , then you must If you are setting up a solution for a person , then you must
know what that person know .
A different set of instruction might have to be used depending
on this knowledge .
When you are working with a computer ?
Must know your own knowledge base.
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3. Identify alternative ways to solve the problem .
Generate as many potential solutions as possible, the
more the better.
Talk to other people to find other solutions .
Must be acceptable .
List the features for each possible solution.
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4. Select the best way to solve the problem from the list of
alternative solutions.
Identify the pros and cons of each possible solution
Select the criteria for the evaluation.
Select the best solution based on the research
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5. List instructions that enable you to solve the problem using the
selected solution(Do Stage).
Come up with a workable plan for putting the chosen
solution into place.
Create a numbered, step-by-step set of instructions
Instructions must be included in the knowledge base.
This can be very limiting, especially when working with
computer .
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6. Evaluate the solution (Review and Revise)..
Test the solution
Are the results accurate?
Does it satisfy the needs of the user?
Is it acceptable to the user?
If the result is either incorrect or unsatisfactory ,
then the problem solver must start the process
again .
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Now lets put problem-solving into
action!
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Problem description Steps Outcome.
Today is the final day
for Abeer in high
school, she & her
family gathered to
decide which
university for here to
attend.
Identify the problem. Problem: Enrolling in a university & department
Goal: Name university and department that she will this
year.
Understand the problem. Facts:
Searching for Universities available.
Knowing her grades, hobbies, specialties and
Gender.
list possible solutions to the
problem
go local university.(speed, not have desired section,
monthly reward)
go a broad.(trip expenses, have desired section, free
enrolment, monthly reward)
go private university.( trip expenses very expensive ,
have desired section , enrolment is not free )
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have desired section , enrolment is not free )
Select the best solutions to the
problem.
Criteria:
1. desired section.
2. Not expensive.
3. Free.
4. monthly reward .
So, solution 2.
List instructions (Do Stage) 1. Send an enrol application to the university.
2. Wait for reply.
3. Pack your stuff, go to university.
4. Attend first day.
Evaluate the solution (Review
and Revise).
I felt lonely, grades were low.
So, must change solution(revaluate)
Some problems are straight forward and
some are indirect.
Two ways to approach them : Two ways to approach them :
1) Algorithmic Solution
Computational Problems
Logical Problems
Repetitive Problems
2) Heuristic Solution
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Algorithmic solutions
Problems that can be solved with a series of actions
Balancing checkbook, baking a cake
Alphabetizing 10,000 names
Heuristic solutions Heuristic solutions
Problem solution requires reasoning built on knowledge and
experience, and a process of trial and error
Solutions cannot be reached through a direct set of steps
How to buy the best stock or expand the company
Difficult to evaluate the solution
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Observations
Six steps of problem solving can be used for both
algorithmic and heuristic solutions.
But for heuristic solutions, the correctness and
appropriateness of step 6 is far less certain.
E.g.: its easy to tell that balance in your chequebook is
correct or not but its difficult to tell whether you have
bought the best stock or not.
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3) Problem Solving with Computers
When we deal with problem solving with computers the following terms are
used to address them :
1) Solution : Instructions that must be followed to produce the best results
Again, the result may Again, the result may
Be more Efficient
Be Faster
Be more Understandable
Be more Maintainable
Be Reusable
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2) Result : Outcome or the answer
May take any form:
Printout
Updated files
Output to monitor, speakers, etc.
3) Program: Set of instructions that make up the solution after they have
been coded into a particular computer language.
Computers are built to deal with algorithmic solutions. E.g. solving a
calculus problem or alphabetizing 10,000 name is an easy task for the
computer.
Heuristics problems such as to throw a ball or how to speak English cannot
be solved with series of steps.
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So for dealing heuristic problems, a field of computers called Artificial
Intelligence is used.
It enables a computer to do things like build its own knowledge bank
and speak in a human language
As a result, the computers problem-solving abilities are similar to
those of a human being
Artificial intelligence is an expanding computer field, especially with
the increased use of Robotics
It builds its own knowledge base and gives the result with the help of
comparisons.
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4) Difficulties in Problem Solving
The following are the general difficulties faced in problem solving :
In ability to assess each step adequately when addressing a problem.
Fear of making a decision.
More focus is on the detail then the frame work
Fail to choose best alternative
Fail to Evaluate the solution Correctly
When solving problems on the computer, one of the most difficult
tasks for the problem solver is writing the instructions (Difficulty with
the coding)
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5) Questions
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