Chapter 7, Problem 40E

Program Plan Intro

a.

Problem-solving strategy:

• It is an idea for solving a problem.
• Different type of strategies is used to solve the different type of problems.
• User can use a one or more strategy to solve a single problem.
• The problem can be solved by many ways but the user should have to find which way provides better solution with proper steps.

Types of strategies in problem-solving:

There are three strategies are present in the problem solving:

• Ask questions:
  • This strategy usually asks questions about the problem or task, and identifies the clear information and facts about the problem.
  • This strategy asks the questions such as “when”, “why”, and “where” until the problem or task is clearly and entirely understood.
• Looks for familiar things:
  • Some problems have repeatedly happened in computing so it is useful for user identifying the familiar steps that will useful to solve the problem.
  • If the solutions already exist for the given or same problem, then just repeat the given steps to solve the problem.
    • User need not to determine the new steps to solve the given problem.
• Divide and conquer:
  • User can easily handle the problem by dividing the larger problems into smaller ones.
    • It means tasks are split into subtasks. Each subtask is split into sub-subtask if needed.
    • This strategy can be applied repeatedly until each subtask is determined.
      • Example for this strategy is quick sort and binary search algorithm.

Explanation of Solution

b.

Problem-solving strategy for organizing an awards banquet for the soccer team:

• Ask questions:
  • Where will the event be set?
  • When will the event be set?
  • How many participants will be there in the event?
  • How many prizes will be awarded in the event?
• Look for things that are familiar:
  • I already prepared this event two times...

Explanation of Solution

c.

Problem-solving strategy for buying a dress for an awarding event at which you are being honored:

• Ask questions:
  • What time of the day is the event?
  • Where is the event held?
  • What type of dress would other wear?
  • Which one is the best for me?
• Look for things that are familiar:
  • Last year, the person wore a blue suit...