1.0 Approach In Problem Solving
1.1 Steps in problem Solving
Problem Solving process
• Programmers use a problem-solving process to
create a computer program.
• Steps in problem-solving process:
1. Problem Analysis
2. Design a solution
3. Implementation
4. Testing
5. Documentation
Problem Solving process
1. Problem Analysis
Define a problem and plan a solution to solve the
problem.
Identify the problem’s output and input.
Output - the goal of solving the problem
Input – items needed to achieve the goal
Programmers use IPO chart to organize and summarize
the results of the problem analysis step.
I - Input
P - Processing
O - Output
Problem Solving process
2. Design Solution
• Develop logical sequence of steps to solve the
problem.
• Plan algorithm that will transform the problem’s input
into its output.
• 2 types of algorithm :
1. Pseudo code – logical sequence of steps to solve the
problem in simple English statement
2. Flowchart - logical sequence of steps to solve the
problem by using graphic
representation/ symbol.
Problem Solving process
• 3. Implementation
• Translate the algorithm into coding and type the
programming language code into the computer
• The process of translating the algorithm into a
language that the computer can execute.
• Example: Java programming language
Problem Solving process
4. Testing
• Trace and check the code with algorithm to make
sure that each instruction in the algorithm was
translated correctly.
• Evaluate the program by entering the coding into
the computer and then execute the program.
• The program must runs without error (bugs) and
produces the expected output before it is release to
the user.
Problem Solving process
• 5. Documentation
• Documentation is a written detailed description
of the programming cycle and specific facts
about the program.
• Typical program documentation materials
include:
o the origin and nature of the problem
o a brief narrative description of the program
o logic tools such as flowcharts and
pseudo code
o data-record descriptions
o program listing
o testing results
Problem Solving process
• Tools to analyze problems and
develop algorithms.
IPO analysis
Pseudo code
Flowcharts
1. Problem Analysis
WHAT is the purpose of analyzing a problem?
1.To determine the goal of solving the problem
which is known as output.
• Output should answer the following question:
What does the user want to find, to print
on paper or to display on the screen?
** Answer (output) must be stated as nouns
and adjectives.
Problem Analysis
2. To determine the information needs to achieve
the goal which is known as input.
• Input should answer the following question:
What information is needed to
calculate, print or display on the
screen?
** Answer (input) must be stated as nouns and
adjectives. An example of input:
Input : width, height
Problem Analysis
3.To determine the processing item.
A formula or process to transfer
the input into the output.
** Answer (process) must be stated as verbs.
An example of process:
Process : calculate the area of rectangle
(formula area = width x height)
Problem Analysis
FUNCTIONS of IPO analysis :
To organize and summarize the results of a
problem analysis.
To show the Input, Process and Output of the
problem.
Problem Analysis
IPO Analysis:
Identify
Input :
Process :
Output :
• Read the problem statement given and identify :
1. Input (what is the data needed?)
2. Process (How to process data,
what formula to use?)
3. Output (What to produce?)
Problem Analysis
Exercise 1:
Problem statement:
Calculate the area of a rectangle.
width
height
Problem Analysis
Analyze the problem:
• What is a rectangle?
A shape with width and height
• What to find? (output)
Area
• What is the formula for area? (process)
Area = width * height
• What is needed to calculate area? (input)
width and height
Problem Analysis
Write IPO Analysis:
• Input : width, height
• Process : calculate the area of rectangle
• Output : area of rectangle
Note: calculation or formula is not shown in Process
Problem Analysis
Exercise 2:
Problem statement:
Determine the total cost of apples, given the
number of kilos of apples purchased and the cost of
apples per kilo.
Problem Analysis
Analyze the problem:
• What to find?
Total cost
• How to find it? :
Total cost = number of kilos of apples
purchased * cost
of apples per kilo
• What is needed?
cost of apples per kilo,
number of kilos of apples purchased
Problem Analysis
Write IPO Analysis:
• Input : Cost of apples per kilo,
number of kilos of apples purchased.
• Process : Calculate the Total cost
• Output : Total cost
Note: calculation or formula is not shown in Process
Problem Analysis
Exercise 3:
Problem statement:
Create an IPO chart for the following problem.
Calculate the salary of an employee who works
by hourly basis. The formula to be used is Salary =
Hour works * Pay rate
Problem Analysis
Analyze the problem:
• What to find?
Salary
• How to find it?
Salary = Hour Work* Pay Rate
• What is needed?
Hour Work
Pay Rate
Problem Analysis
Write IPO Analysis:
• Input : Hour Work, Pay rate
• Process : Calculate Salary
• Output : Salary
Note: calculation or formula is not shown in Process
Problem Analysis
Exercise 4:
Problem statement:
Write a program to convert Fahrenheit
temperatures into Celsius temperatures
Problem Analysis
Analyze the problem:
• What to find?
Celsius temperature (output)
• How to find it?
Convert Fahrenheit temperature into Celsius
temperature
• What is needed?
Fahrenheit temperature (input)
Problem Analysis
Write IPO Analysis:
• Input : Fahrenheit temperature
• Process : calculate to convert Fahrenheit temperature
into Celcius temperature
• Output : Celcius temperature
Note: calculation or formula is not shown in Process
Steps in Problem Solving
The End