HOW TO SOLVE

PROBLEMS
A QUICK AND EASY FRAMEWORK FOR PROBLEM SOLVING
IN THIS MODULE
We will learn about a framework for solving any kind of
problem computationally. The goal of this framework is to
come up with an algorithmic solution to any given problem.

Now, it is important to note that there could be more than

one algorithmic solution to a problem, this is just the nature of
problems and solutions! With this note out of the way, let’s
start by solving some puzzles!
UNICURSALS
DRAW WITHOUT LIFTING YOUR PEN
UNICURSALS
A unicursal is a puzzle that involves drawing one continuous
line to either connect some points or to form a given figure or
image.

Recall the puzzles you used to solve where you are tasked to draw
a figure without lifting your pen and drawing over existing lines...
FOR EXAMPLE
Draw the following image
without lifting your pen or
drawing over existing lines...
 2 3 FOR EXAMPLE
Draw the following image
4
without lifting your pen or
5 drawing over existing lines…

1 7 8
Here is one solution. Note
6 that, as mentioned, there are
other solutions too!
UNICURSALS
Let’s try and modify the puzzle a little. In addition to drawing
the figure using one continuous line (i.e. without lifting your pen)
and without drawing over any existing lines, you are also not
allowed to intersect (i.e. cross over) existing lines...
 2 3 FOR EXAMPLE
Draw the following image
4
without lifting your pen,
5 6 drawing over existing lines
7
or intersecting existing
1 9 lines…
8
10
The solution is modified
11 thusly...
READY?
PUZZLE #1
Draw the following image
without lifting your pen,
drawing over existing lines
or intersecting existing
lines…
PUZZLE #2
Draw the following image
without lifting your pen,
drawing over existing lines
or intersecting existing
lines…
PUZZLE #3
Draw the following image
without lifting your pen,
drawing over existing lines
or intersecting existing
lines…
COMPUTATIONAL THINKING
Let’s look at the problems from a Computational Thinking
Lens, starting first with Problem Decomposition, then Data
Representation and finally Pattern Recognition. We will
discuss Generalization and Abstraction later on.
PROBLEM DECOMPOSITION
Your main problem is to draw the figure following the
constraints. Is this problem already trivial? What makes it non-
trivial or trivial? What other problems do we need to look into
(but not yet solve!) to find a solution to the main problem?
REPRESENTATION
What data do we need to know before we can draw the figure
using one continuous line? Why do we need to keep track of
these data?
PATTERN RECOGNITION
While solving each of the puzzles, did you find yourself
performing the same initial or concluding actions (i.e. you
always start from the outside going in or vice versa)? Did you
notice other patterns that you found yourself doing?
 LET’S SOLVE SOME
MORE UNICURSALS!
PUZZLE #4
Can you draw the following
image without lifting your
pen, drawing over existing
lines or intersecting existing
lines?
PUZZLE #5
Can you draw the following
image without lifting your
pen, drawing over existing
lines or intersecting existing
lines?
COMPUTATIONAL THINKING
The puzzle configuration was changed! Instead of just asking
you to draw, you are now asked to figure out if the figure can
be drawn following the unicursal constraints.

Did the new configuration change your approach? What

changed? What did not change?
GENERALIZATION & ABSTRACTION
The puzzle configuration was changed! Instead of just asking
you to draw, you are now asked to figure out if the figure can
be drawn following the unicursal constraints.

Did the new configuration change your approach? What

changed? What did not change? This is Generalization and
Abstraction in action!
PROBLEM SOLVING
Let’s talk about something else…

As you were solving both configurations of the puzzle, did you

notice any procedures or strategies you were employing?
Was everything trial and error, or did you follow a systematic
approach for each puzzle?
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
A MORE OR LESS UNIVERSAL FRAMEWORK TO SOLVE ANY
PROBLEM COMPUTATIONALLY
COMPUTATIONAL THINKING
The goal of every Computational Thinking activity is to find an
algorithmic (i.e. step-by-step) solution to any given problem.
Algorithms just so happened to lend themselves better to
program implementation.

How do we use our Computational Thinking skills to come up

with this algorithmic solution? We can follow a tried and
tested simple approach to problem solving!
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
The framework for solving
problems involves five
simple steps…
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
The framework for solving
problems involves five
simple steps…

First, you identify the

problem or task. You have to
know what you are solving
first, and if its a problem you
have encountered before!
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
simple steps…

Next, you think of an

algorithm to solve the
problem.
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
simple steps…

If its a problem you have

solved before or its similar
to one, recall how you solved
the original problem and
reuse the solution, modifying
if necessary.
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
simple steps…

If this is your first time

encountering such a problem,
you will need to use your
creativity and
resourcefulness to come up
with a new algorithm.
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
simple steps…

Perhaps somebody else has

already solved the problem
before, go and learn from
their solution. Very rarely is a
problem completely new!
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
simple steps…

In the off chance that it is,

look for inspiration in
nature, or even a solution,
activity or event you did not
think was related at all!
BIOMIMETIC DESIGN
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
Implement the Solution simple steps…

Next is implementation. In
this step, you make the idea
or thought real so it can be
tested later on. For example,
if its software, you convert the
algorithm into a code.
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
Implement the Solution simple steps…
Note that it is best to separate
the thought process from the
implementation, doing so
allows you to focus on each
individually, as each step
requires its own set of skills to
perform.
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
Implement the Solution simple steps…
The next step is to test the
solution. In this stage, you
Test the Solution
create test cases (pairs of
inputs and expected outputs)
which you run against the
solution to determine its
correctness.
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
Implement the Solution simple steps…

Make sure you not only check if

Test the Solution the answers the solution
produces is correct, but also if
the result is appropriate to the
original problem.
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
Implement the Solution simple steps…

Success! If the solution passes the

Test the Solution Done! testing process then you are
done!
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
Implement the Solution simple steps…

Success! Take note of the solution you

Test the Solution Done! created, see why it works
and maybe in the future it can
become the basis of a new
solution.
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
Implement the Solution simple steps…

Success! Otherwise, you go back to the

Test the Solution Done! drawing board and revise
your solution, testing it again
Fail! until you arrive at an
acceptable solution.
Revise the Solution
Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
Implement the Solution simple steps…

Success! Do not be afraid, however,

Test the Solution Done! to go back to the very
beginning of the process if the
Fail! solution is not working out.

Revise the Solution

Identify the Problem or Task
PROBLEM SOLVING
STEPS
Think of a Solution
The framework for solving
problems involves five
Implement the Solution simple steps…
Focus on what you learned
Success!
instead of the end product.
Test the Solution Done!
The final solution is just an
artifact of the process of
Fail! problem solving. What
Revise the Solution matters is what you learned
from the process!
 LET’S SOLVE SOME
MORE UNICURSALS!
DON’T FORGET TO APPLY THE
PROBLEM SOLVING
FRAMEWORK!
FINAL PUZZLE
Can you draw the following
image without lifting your
pen, drawing over existing
lines or intersecting existing
lines?
HOW ABOUT A MATH
PROBLEM?
 MATH PROBLEM #1
B Two points are marked on a
cartesian plane. An inscribing
compass (the one used to
A draw circles) are then placed
on the points, with one leg on
each point, and a circle is
drawn. What is the area of
the circle drawn in this way?
 MATH PROBLEM #1
B Two points are marked on a
cartesian plane. An inscribing
compass (the one used to
A draw circles) are then placed
on the points, with one leg on
each point, and a circle is
drawn. What is the area of
the circle drawn in this way?
Don’t give up! Trust
in the process!
SEE YOU NEXT
MEETING!