AQA AS Computing: 1.2 Stages of Problem Solving

Question 1

Given

Answer 1

An initial situation

Question 2

Problem

Answer 2

A given where it is not immediately obvious how to reach the goal

Question 3

Goal

Answer 3

A desired outcome

Question 4

Resources

Answer 4

Things that can be used to reach a goal and impose constraints

Question 5

A well defined problem

Answer 5

A well defined problem has four components: givens, resources and constraints, a goal and ownership

Question 6

Defining boundaries

Answer 6

establishing the limits or rules about what can and can not be done when solving a problem

Question 7

Lateral thinking

Answer 7

Used to challenge assumptions, establish facts and define the boundaries of problem solving

Question 8

Top-down design

Answer 8

Breaks a problem into smaller problems that are easier to work on

Question 9

Module

Answer 9

A self contained entity that results when a problem is divided into subproblems; each module corresponds to a subproblem

Question 10

Stepwise refinement

Answer 10

The process of breaking a problem down through successive steps into smaller problems

Question 11

Structure table

Answer 11

an indented, numbered list of steps produced by stepwise refinement