Problem Solving Techniques

Agenda
 Problem Analysis
 Problem solving steps
 What is Algorithm?
 Properties of Algorithm
 Advantages of Algorithms
 Disadvantages of Algorithms
 How to write an algorithm
 ALGORITHM AND FLOW CHART

Objectives
able to define problem;
able to define algorithm;
write algorithms for simple
problems;
explain properties of an algorithm;
 Problem Analysis
 Problem analysis can be defined as studying a problem to arrive at a
satisfactory solution. To solve a problem successfully, the first step is
to understand the problem. Also the problem must be stated clearly
and accurately without any confuse.
 A well-defined problem and clear description of input and output are
important for an effective and efficient solution.
 Study the outputs to be generated so that input can be specified.
Design the steps, which will produce the desired result after
supplying the input.
 If the problem is very complex, split the problem into multiple sub-
problems. Solve each sub-problem and combine the solutions of all the
sub-problems to at arrive at overall solution to a large problem. This is called
divide and conquer technique.
Problem solving steps

 Understand the problem and plan its logic

 Construction of the List of Variables
 Develop an algorithm
 Refine the algorithm. Refining means making changes
 Program Development
 Testing the Program (solution)
 Validating the Program (solution)
 What is Algorithm?
 An algorithm is defined as sequence of steps to solve a problem
(task).
 An Algorithm is a step by step method for solving a problem.
 The set of rules that define how a particular problem can be solved in finite
number of steps.
 Its purpose is to break a larger
task down so that each step can be carried out without creativity.
 One common example of an algorithm is a recipe, which consists of specific
instructions for preparing a dish/meal.
 Algorithm can be written in any language.
Algorithm to log in to Facebook
account
 Go to www.facebook.com
 Enter Email ID and Password
 Click on log in button

 Yes you guessed it right. Its very easy to write algorithm.

 All you have to do is write the correct steps in correct sequence.
 MUHAMMAD IBN MUSA AL-
KHWARIZMI
 Muhammad ibn Mūsā al-Khwārizmī (Persian: ‫محمد بن‬
‫ ;موسى خوارزمی‬c. 780 – c. 850),
Formerly Latinized as Algoritmi, was a Persian
scholar who produced works in mathematics, astronomy,
& geography under the support of the Caliph Al-
Ma'mun of the Abbasid Caliphate.
 Advantages of Algorithms

 It make logic clear.

 Written in natural language.

 Any body can understand easily

 By using algorithm, the problem is broken down into smaller

pieces or steps hence, it is easier for programmer to convert it
into an actual program.
Disadvantages of Algorithms

 it is time consuming.

 Big tasks are difficult to put in algorithms.

 Difficult to show Looping in algorithms.

 How to write an algorithm

 Step 1: start
 Step 2: always declare a variable which you want to use.
 Step 3: always read a variable which you are using a variable for input.
 Step 4: for processing.
 Step 5: displaying a variable.
 Step 6: stop.
Write an algorithm to print “Good Morning”

 Step 1: start
 Step 2: print "Good Morning”
 Step 3: stop
Write an algorithm to find area of a
rectangle?

 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare variable L as length, B as breadth and area
 Step 3: read L and B
 Step 4: area = L * B
 Step 5: print area
 Step 6: stop
Q) Write an algorithm that perform addition of two
numbers and display the result of the operation.

 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare variable a ,b and sum
 Step 3: read variable a, b
 Step 4: sum = a + b
 Step 5: display sum
 Step 6: stop
Q) Write an algorithm that perform addition of three
numbers and display the result of the operation .

 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare variable a ,a, c and sum
 Step 3: read variable a, b and c
 Step 4: sum = a + b + c
 Step 5: display sum
 Step 6: stop
Q)Write an algorithm to swap two numbers
using two variables?

 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare variable a & b
 Step 3: read variable a & b
 Step 4: a = a + b
b=a–b
a=a–b
 Step 5: display a & b
 Step 6: stop
Q)Write an algorithm to swap two numbers
using three variables?

 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare variable a, b and c
 Step 3: read variable a & b
 Step 4: c = a
 a=b
 b=c
 Step 5: display a & b
 Step 6: stop
Q) Write an algorithm to find the area of a circle?

 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare variable r and area
 Step 3: read variable r
 Step 4: area = 3.14 * r * r
 Step 5: print area
 Step 6: stop
Q) Write to generate electricity bill, which input,
current reading, previous reading, rate per unit,
& calculate unit consume & payable amount.
Current Reading(CR), Previous Reading(PR), Rate
Per Unit(R), Unit Consume(UC) and Payable
Amount(PA)
 Start 1: start
 Start 2: declare variable CR, PR, R, UC & PA
 Step 3: read variable CR, PR and R
 Step 4: UC = CR – PR
PA = UC * R
 Step 5: display UC & PA
 Step 6: stop
Q) Write an algorithm to calculate
simple interest(S.I)?
 P ------- Principal R--------- Rate T---------Time

 Step 1: start S.I =

 Step 2: declare variable P, R, T & S.I
 Step 3: read P, R & T
 Step 4: S.I = (P * R * T)/100
 Step 5: display S.I
 Step 6: stop
Q) Write an algorithm to calculate
average of 3 numbers?

 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare variable a, b, c & avg
 Step 3: read variable a, b and c
 Step 4: avg =
 Step 5: display avg
 Step 6: stop
Q) Write an algorithm to calculate sum &
product of any two numbers?

 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare variable a, b, sum & prod
 Step 3: read variable a & b
 Step 4: sum = a + b
prod = a * b
 Step 5: display sum & prod
 Step 6: stop
Decision Making Statements

1.If -- statement

2.If --- else statement

3.Nested if --- else statement

If statement

If(condition)
{

True statement

}
Q) Write an algorithm which input any number
from user & check whether the number is even
number?
 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare variable a
 Step 3: read variable a
 Step 4: If(a % 2 == 0)
 {
 display “a is even number.”
 }
 Step 5: stop
If --- else

 If (condition)
 {
 True statement
 }
 Else
 {
 False statement
 }
Q) Write an algorithm which input any number from
user & check whether the number is even number
or odd.

 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare variable n
 Step 3: read variable n
 Step 4: If(n % 2 == 0)
 {
 Display “n is even number”
 }
 else
 {
 display” n is odd number”
 }
 Step 5: stop
Q) Write an algorithm which input two
different numbers. From the user & find
greatest
 Step 1:among
start
them?
 Step 2: declare variable a & b
 Step 3: read variable a & b
 Step 4: If(a > b)
 {
 display” a is greater than b”
 }
 else
 {
 display” b is greater than a”
 }
 Step 5: stop
Nested If----else
 If (condition 1)
 {
 if(condition 2)
 {
 print
 }
 else {
 print
 }
 Else if(condition 3)
 {
 print
 }
 else {
 print
 }
Q)Write an algorithm which input any two
numbers. From the user & find greatest
among them?
 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare variable a & b
 Step 3: read variable a & b
 Step 4: If(a > b) {
 display” a is greater than b”
 }
 else if(b>a){
 display” b is greater than a”
 }
 else{
 display ”a and b are equal”
 Step 5: stop
Q) write an algorithm input three different numbers
from the user & find greater among them?
 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare variable a, b and c
 Step 3: read variable a, b and c
 Step 4: If(a > b) {
 if ( a > c) {
 display “a is greater”
 }
 else {
 display “c is greater”
 }
 Else if ( b > c) {
 display “b is greater”
 }
 else {
 Display” c is greater”
 } }
 Q) write an algorithm input any three numbers
from the user & find greater among them?
 Step 1: start  else if (c>a & c>b){
 Step 2: declare variable a, b and c  print ” c is greater than a and
 b”
Step 3: read variable a, b and c
 }
 Step 4: if(a > b & a>c){
 else if(a == b & a>c){
 print ”a is greater than b and c”
 print ” a and b greater than c”
 }
 }
 else if(b>a & b>c){
 else if(a == c & a>b){
 print ” b is greater than a and
c”  print ” a and c greater than b”
 }  }
 else{
 print ” b and c greater than a”
 }
 Step 5: Stop
 Homework
Q1) write an algorithm to find a number is positive,
negative or Zero.
Q2) Write an algorithm which input two different
numbers. From the user & find smallest among them?
Q3) Write an algorithm which input any two numbers.
From the user & find smallest among them?
Q4) write an algorithm input three different numbers
from the user & find smallest among them?
Q5) write an algorithm input any three numbers from
the user & find smallest among them?
 Looping

 In computer programming,
a loop is a sequence of
instructions that is
continually repeated until
a certain condition is
reached.
While loop

While (condition)
statement
end
Write an algorithm to print 0 4 8 12
16 20 using while loop?
 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare integer i
 Step 3: assign i = 0
 Step 4: while i <= 20
 output i
 i=i+4
 End
 Step 5: stop
Write an algorithm to print 20 16 12
8 4 0 using while loop?
 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare integer i
 Step 3: assign i = 20
 Step 4: while i >=0
 output i
 i=i -4
 End
 Step 5: stop
Do while Loop

Loop

Statement

Do (condition)
Write an algorithm to print 0 4 8 12
16 20 using do while loop?
 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare integer i
 Step 3: assign i = 0
 Step 4: Loop
 output i
 i=i+4
 Do i <= 20
 Step 5: stop
Write an algorithm to print 20 16 12
8 4 0 using do while loop?
 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare integer i
 Step 3: assign i = 20
 Step 4: Loop
 output i
 i=i -4
 Do i >= 0
 Step 5: stop
For Loop

for i = 0 to 20 increment/decrement
output i
End
Write an algorithm to print 0 4 8 12 16
20 using For loop?
 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare integer i
 Step 3: for i = 0 to 20 step 4
 output i
 end
 Step 4: stop
Write an algorithm to print 20 16 12 8 4 0
using for loop?
 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare integer i
 Step 3: for i = 20 to 0 decreasing step 4
 output i
 end
 Step 4: stop
 Nested loops
Write an Algorithm to Print the Following pattern.
2468
2468
2468
 Step 1: start
 Step 2: declare i, j
 Step 3: For i = 1 to 3 step 1
 For j = 2 to 8 step 2
 output j
 end
 output nexline
 end
 Step 4: stop