Unit 13

Question 1

aspects of problems

Answer 1

goal, givens, means of transforming conditions, obstacles

Question 2

goal

Answer 2

an end state or solution being pursued which can be determined as “solved” by some criterion

Question 3

givens

Answer 3

objects, conditions, and constraints associated with a problem

Question 4

means of transforming conditions

Answer 4

the problem must be practically solvable, so there must be a way to change the situation

Question 5

obstacles

Answer 5

some difficulty must exist which inhibits finding the solution

Question 6

problem space

Answer 6

the internal representation of the external problem

Question 7

task environment

Answer 7

the external existence of the problem

Question 8

problem state

Answer 8

the current situation in the problem-solving process

Question 9

the two problem states all problems have

Answer 9

initial state and goal state

Question 10

initial state

Answer 10

problem state before any progress towards the goal has been made

Question 11

goal state

Answer 11

problem state after the goal of the problem has been reached

Question 12

problem operator

Answer 12

the actions done to move closer to the goal

Question 13

well-defined problem

Answer 13

conditions of a problem are clear and have no ambiguity (ex: arithmetic)

Question 14

algorithm

Answer 14

systematic process to find a solution; guaranteed solution, but inefficient

Question 15

heuristic

Answer 15

cognitive shortcut; not guaranteed a solution, but more efficient

Question 16

ill-defined problem

Answer 16

the conditions and aspects are not clearly specified; ambiguities and uncertainties cloud the paths to the goal

Question 17

hill climbing heuristic

Answer 17

one chooses the the next state closest to the goal; effective, but doesn’t always lead to the desired solution

Question 18

means-end analysis heuristic

Answer 18

problem solver reviews numerous problem operators available and identifies which one best reduces the distance to the goal

Question 19

problem with means-end analysis

Answer 19

problem solver may not necessarily know which operators are best

Question 20

functional fixedness

Answer 20

the inability to use objects for purposes other than their intended functions or designs