1.1 Steps in Problem Solving

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