1. Introduction to Problem Solving
Siti Nurbaya Ismail
Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Computer & Mathematical Sciences
Universiti Teknologi MARA Kedah (e): (u):

2. Introduction to Problem Solving
Part 1: Problem
At the end of this chapter you will be able to;
Define a problem.
Describe a solution.
Explain examples of problem solving using computer.
Describe the connection between real life process and problem solving using computer.

3. What is problem?
Unsettled matter demanding solutions or decision and requiring usually considerable thought or skill for its proper solution or decision
A state of difficulty that needs to be resolved or a question raised for consideration or solution
Difficulty; a matter about it is difficult to decide what to do or a question to be answered or solve

4. Types of Problem Simple Problem How to make a cup of tea
How to cook rice
How to log in to gmail account
Difficult problem
Traffic control
Transport schedule
Perform transaction using auto teller machine

5. What is solution? An action or process of solving a problem, also;
The fact or state of a problem being solved, also;
An answer to or means of answering a problem.

6. Relation: Problem & Solution
From the definition, problem and solution are interrelated and therefore; a problem should not be investigated separately from its solution.
Therefore, to solve a problem, three important steps should be performed:
Understand the problem thoroughly
Understand the conditions and requirements of the problem
Search for alternative solutions and select a general solution

7. Problem & Solution Problem Solution How to make a cup of tea
Put a tea beg into a cup
Pour hot water into the cup
Add sugar into the cup
Stir

8. Problem & Solution Problem Solution
How to log in into an Gmail account
Open a web browser
Enter URL;
Enter Google Account username in the Enter Your text entry box
Click Next
Enter password in the Password text entry box
Click Sign In button

9. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
Typical simple problem solving
Cook a dish
cake
sandwich
fried rice
To get to a destination
From home to UiTM Kedah

10. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
Typical simple problem solving
Cook a dish: chocalate cake
Input
Process
Output
Ingredients
Step to make cake
Mix Butter + sugar
Better + flour + milk + brown sugar + vanilla + baking powder + chocolate powder + egg
Baked
Baked cake!

11. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
Typical simple problem solving
Cook a dish: tuna sandwich
Input
Process
Output
Ingredients
Salad
Tuna
Tomatoes
Bread
Mayo
Step to make sandwich
Take 2 slice of bread
Put salad, tomato, tuna & mayo in between the 2 slice of bread.
Yummy sandwich!

12. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
Typical real world problems
Transaction
ATM Machine
Web Application
Decision Making
Forecasting
Control Problem
Traffic controller
Searching problems
Search Engines
Sorting problems
Transport Schedule

13. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
Ain
Anis
Akmal
Typical real world problems
Transaction : ATM Machine: Money Withdrawer
Input
Process
Output
ATM card
PIN
Insert card
Select language
Enter PIN
Select transaction(withdraw money)
Select account type (saving/current)
Enter amount
Take your money

14. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
Ali
Alif Hakimi
Aliff
Typical real world problems
Transaction : Web Application: Online Purchase
Input
Process
Output
URL address.
address.
Shipping address.
Credit card details.
Go to the address of the online shop.
Choose the item you want to buy.
Enter your address.
Enter your shipping address.
Enter your credit card details.
Place your order.
The item is ordered succesfully.

15. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
Ariff
Ashraf
Azreen
Typical real world problems
Decision Making : Forecasting : Earthquakes
Input
Process
Output
Laser Beam
Seismometer
Laser Beam detects
the plate movement.
2. Seismometer pick up the vibrations in the earth’s crusts.
Seismometer shows the earthquake’s waves.
Earthquakes will be alerted by the news.

16. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
Bazlee
Danish
Fakhira
Typical real world problems
Control Problem: Traffic Controller : Traffic Light
Input
Process
Output
Vehicle
Traffic Light
Vehicle stop when traffic light turns red
Vehicle slow down when traffic light turns yellow
Vehicle move when traffic light turns green
The flow of traffic will be smooth

17. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
fatihah
insyirah
syahirah
Typical real world problems
Searching problems: Search Engine :Zalora website
Input
Process
Output
Computer
Internet access
Google Chrome
Turn on the computer
Make sure the computer have internet access
Open google chrome
Type “ Zalora “ at the search engine
Click enter
Zalora website

18. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
nazira
amirah
farzana
shahirah
Typical real world problems
Sorting problems: Transport schedule: Bus Schedule
Input
Process
Output
Time
Bus
Destination
Driver
Assign driver to each bus
Assign the driver into different destination
Organized the time for each destination
Schedule

19. Problem Solving Strategies
1. Heuristic
A method of solving problems that often involves intelligent trial and error or reasoning based on knowledge and experience
Example: no known algorithm that tell how to play a perfect game of chess, so computer chess playing programs must use a heuristic method of solution, using methods that area likely but not certain to give a good results in any particular case

20. Problem Solving Strategies
2. Algorithmic
A clearly specified procedure that is guaranteed to give the correct answer.
computing = algorithmic
solutions are express as algorithm
can give correct result
algorithm
a step by step procedures that accepts data,
manipulate them following the prescribed steps,
to achieve the desired values or tasks

21. Introduction to Problem Solving
Next Class…..
Part 2:
Algorithm