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

2. Introduction to Problem Solving Using Computers
what is a problem and examples of problem
types of problems ( simple and typical real world )
what is a solution and sample of solutions
types of solution ( algorithmic and heuristic )
steps to solve a problem using computer algorithm
samples of problem solving

3. Introduction to Problem Solving Using Computers
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 donnection between real life process and problem solving using computer

4. *may be solved using simple solution *need a complex solution
What is a problem?
Unsettled matter demanding solutions or decision and requiring usually considerable thought or skill for its proper solution or decision
Problem
*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
Simple Problem
*may be solved using simple solution
*how make a cup of tea, how to cook a rice and how to log in to instagram account
Difficult Problem
*need a complex solution
*traffic control, transport schedule and perform transactions using auto teller machines

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. Problem Solving Strategies
Heuristics Solution
Algorithmic Solution
Strategies used to solved problem
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
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

10. Problem Solving Development Cycle
To perform problem solving using computer
Problem solving phases
Implementation phases
This phase consists of problem definition and algorithm design
This phase consists of converting algorithm to program, compiling processes, program testing and program maintenance phases

11. Problem Solving Phases: Problem Definition
problem definition = understanding the problem
purpose = to analyze the problem clearly, precisely and completely.
analyse means try to break up the problem into smaller meaningful workable pieces of information
the solution for the problem depends entirely on the outcome from this phase.

12. Problem Solving Phases: Problem Definition
the analysis should highlight the following important parts
the analysis should clearly, precisely and completely identify the data, the processes that are needed, and the required information
Understand the problem requirement.
Determine what is the required information 1
List all the facts given in the problem.
Determine how the facts can be used in the solution 2
Determine the assumption that has to be used.
Avoid from using irrelevant or over assumptions 3
Determine the data to be used 4
Determine what data to get from the user 5
Determine what formulas to be used 6
How the expected screen looks like 7

13. Problem Solving Phases: Problem Definition
When this phase is not handled carefully, the information gathred may:
contain errors.
not accurate (maybe the information is incomplete, it does not solve the entire problem).
too precise than the information required.

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

15. Examples of Problem Solving
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!

16. Examples of Problem Solving
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!

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

18. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
amirah
atif
Afiq
izzati
Typical real world problems
Transaction : ATM Machine: Money Withdrawer
Input
Process
Output

19. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
alif
amirul
farhan
Typical real world problems
Transaction : Web Application: Online Purchase
Input
Process
Output

20. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
imran
muhaimin
naufal
Typical real world problems
Decision Making : Forecasting : Earthquakes
Input
Process
Output

21. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
nazmi
haziq
syafiq
Typical real world problems
Control Problem: Traffic Controller : Traffic Light
Input
Process
Output

22. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
najwa
irdina
syamimi
Typical real world problems
Searching problems: Search Engine :Zalora website
Input
Process
Output

23. Examples of Problem Solving Using Computer
adilah
syakirah
shafrika
syazwani
Typical real world problems
Sorting problems: Transport schedule: Bus Schedule
Input
Process
Output

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