Topic 1.1

Problem Solving

FCT0035 Problem Solving & Programming

September 2025

Lesson Objectives

• To define what is problem-solving
• To describe the importance of problem-solving
• To describe some common terms in programming such as:
  • Code
  • Program
  • Programming
• To describe and apply the steps in problem-solving

Introduction to Problem Solving

Definition of Problem Solving

• Problem solving is the process of:
  • Identifying an issue
  • Analyzing it
  • Finding effective solutions
• It is a fundamental skill in programming, wherein the ability to effectively tackle challenges is essential for writing successful code.

Key Terms in Programming Context

• A Program: A collection of instructions that a computer executes.
• A Code: The written instructions in a programming language that a computer can interpret.
• Programming: The act of creating a program through writing code using programming languages.

The Importance of Problem Solving in Programming

• Problem solving is critical in programming because it allows developers to:
  • Create algorithms that can automate tasks
  • Solve real-world problems
  • Optimize processes
  • Debug codes
• In programming, problem solving facilitates:
  • Understanding problems
  • Devising the most efficient and effective solutions.
• Key Aspects of Programming
  • Programming is not just about writing code; it's focused on Algorithms, Efficient solutions, and Effective solutions.

The Problem-Solving Process

Steps in the Problem-Solving Process

1. Identify the Problem
2. Analyze the Problem
3. Generate Possible Solutions
4. Select the Best Solution
5. Implement the Solution
6. Evaluate the Results

Step 1: Identify the Problem

• The first step is to clearly identify and define the problem.
• This involves understanding the problem’s nature and scope.
• Key Questions:
  • What is the problem?
• Example: Calculate the average of three integers.

Step 2: Analyze the Problem

• Inputs: Determine what values are required by the process.
• Outputs: Establish what values need to be calculated, produced, or displayed by the process.
• Formula: Identify the formula to be used to derive the output from the inputs.
• Example:
  • Inputs: Three integers (number1, number2, number3)
  • Outputs: The average of the three integers
  • Formula:
    
    ext{average} = rac{ ext{number1} + ext{number2} + ext{number3}}{3}
    

Step 3: Generate Possible Solutions

• Solution 1:
  • Calculate the sum of the three integers, then divide the obtained sum by 3 to get the average.
  • Formula:
    
    ext{sum} = ext{number1} + ext{number2} + ext{number3}
    
  • Average:
    
    ext{average} = rac{ ext{sum}}{3}
    
• Solution 2:
  • Directly utilize the average formula as stated above.
  • Formula:
    
    ext{average} = rac{ ext{number1} + ext{number2} + ext{number3}}{3}
    
• Solution 3:
  • Calculate each integer divided by 3, then sum them.
  • Average:
    
    ext{average} = rac{ ext{number1}}{3} + rac{ ext{number2}}{3} + rac{ ext{number3}}{3}
    

Step 4: Select the Best Solution

• Select the solution that is deemed easiest to understand and implement.
• Example: Possible selections may include Solution 1 or Solution 2 rather than Solution 3.

Step 5: Implement the Solution

• The implementation can be executed using the following code snippet:

  number1 = int(input('number 1 : '))
  number2 = int(input('number 2 : '))
  number3 = int(input('number 3 : '))
  average = (number1 + number2 + number3) / 3
  print('The average = ', average)

Step 6: Evaluate the Results

• After implementing the solution, testing and evaluation of results are key.
• Example:
  • Input values could be:
  • number1: 2
  • number2: 4
  • number3: 6
  • Resulting Output:
  • The average = 4.0

Key Takeaways

• Problem-solving is crucial in programming.
• The problem-solving process involves steps such as identifying and analyzing the problem.
• For every problem, multiple solutions may exist, enabling the selection of the "best" one based on defined criteria.