Class - 11th Computer Science

Code: 083
Chapter 4: Problem Solving

Introduction to Problem Solving

Problems cannot be resolved by computers alone. We must provide clear, step-by-step directions
on how to solve the issue. The process of identifying a problem, creating an algorithm to solve it,
and then putting the method into practice to create a computer program is known as problem
solving.

Steps for Problem Solving

To identify the best solution to a difficult problem in a computer system, a Problem Solving
methodical approach is necessary. Problem Solving Steps are –

 Analysing the problem

 Developing an Algorithm
 Coding
 Testing and Debugging
  Analyzing the problem: It is important to clearly understand a problem before we begin to
find the solution for it. If we are not clear about what is to be solved, then the software
program will not work properly.
 Developing an Algorithm: Developing an algorithm is important before creating the
program. An algorithm is a step-by-step process where we write the problem and the steps
of the programmes.
 Coding: After the algorithm is completed, it must be translated into a form of program. This
program can be written using any programming language to produce the desired outcome.
 Testing and Debugging – The developed programme needs to pass different parameters
to produce accurate output. This parement can be tested using the testing and debugging
method.
What is the purpose of Algorithm?
Before creating any code, the programmer first creates a roadmap for the software. Without a
roadmap, a programmer will not be able to visualise the problem, and the software will not work
properly as per the requirement. Here, the roadmap is known as an algorithm.

Representation of Algorithms
There are two common methods of representing an algorithm —flowchart and pseudocode. Any
one of the method can be used to represent an algorithm while keeping in mind the following:

 A flowchart is a visual represention of the logic and control flow of the program.
 Pseudocode is a structured way of writing an algorithm.
Flowchart — Visual Representation of Algorithms
A flowchart is a visual representation of an algorithm. A flowchart is a diagram made up of boxes,
diamonds and other shapes, connected by arrows. Each shape represents a step of the solution
process and the arrow represents the order or link among the steps.

There are standardized symbols to draw flowcharts. Some are given below –
Flow Chart Syntax

How to draw flowchart

Q. Draw a flowchart to find the sum of two numbers?
Q. Draw a flowchart to print the number from 1 to 10?
 Introduction to Problem Solving Class 11 Note
Notes

What is Pseudocode?
Another way to represent an algorithm is with a pseudocode, which is pronounced Soo Soo-doh-kohd.
It is regarded as a non-formal
formal language that aids in the creation of algorithms by programmers. It
is a thorough explanation of the steps a computer must take in a specific order.

The word “pseudo” means “not real,” so “pseudocode” means “not real code”. Following are some
of the frequently used keywords while writing pseudocode –

 INPUT
 COMPUTE
 PRINT
 INCREMENT
 DECREMENT
 IF/ELSE
 WHILE
 TRUE/FALSE
Example
Write an algorithm to display the sum of two numbers entered by user, using both pseudocode and
flowchart.

Pseudocode for the sum of two numbers will be –

input num1
input num2
COMPUTE Result = num1 + num2
PRINT Result

Flowchart for this pseudocode or algo

algorithm –
Decomposition

A problem may occasionally be complex, meaning that its solution cannot always be found. In
these circumstances, we must break it down into simpler components. Decomposing or breaking
down a complicated problem into smaller subproblems is the fundamental concept behind
addressing a complex problem by decomposition. These side issues are more straightforward to
resolve than the main issue.
Introduction to Problem Solving Class 11 Questions and
Answers
1. Write pseudocode that reads two numbers and divide one by another and display
the quotient.

Answer –

BEGIN

PRINT "Enter the first number:"

READ num1

PRINT "Enter the second number:"

READ num2

IF num2 ≠ 0 THEN

quotient ← num1 / num2

PRINT "The quotient is:", quotient

ELSE

PRINT "Error: Division by zero is not allowed."

ENDIF

END

2. Two friends decide who gets the last slice of a cake by flipping a coin five times.
The first person to win three flips wins the cake. An input of 1 means player 1 wins a
flip, and a 2 means player 2 wins a flip. Design an algorithm to determine who takes
the cake?

Answer –

Set p1 = 0

Set p2 = 0
For i in range(5):

Input coin

If coin = 1 then

p1 += 1

Elif coin = 2 then

p2 += 1

If p1 > 2 then

Print "Player 1 wins!"

Exit Loop

Elif p2 > 2 then

Print "Player 2 wins!"

Exit Loop

3. Write the pseudocode to print all multiples of 5 between 10 and 25 (including both
10 and 25).

Answer –

BEGIN

FOR num := 10 TO 25 DO

IF num % 5 = 0 THEN

PRINT num

ENDIF

ENDFOR

END

4. Give an example of a loop that is to be executed a certain number of times.

Answer –

BEGIN

FOR i := 1 TO 10 DO

PRINT i

ENDFOR

END

5. Suppose you are collecting money for something. You need ` 200 in all. You ask
your parents, uncles and aunts as well as grandparents. Different people may give
either ` 10, ` 20 or even ` 50. You will collect till the total becomes 200. Write the
algorithm.

Answer –

Step 1: Start

Step 2: Set money := 0

Step 3: WHILE money < 200 DO

Step 3.1: INPUT input_money

Step 3.2: money = money + input_money

Step 4: END WHILE

Step 5: PRINT "Total ₹200 collected!"

Step 6: Stop

6. Write the pseudocode to print the bill depending upon the price and quantity of an
item. Also print Bill GST, which is the bill after adding 5% of tax in the total bill.

Answer –

BEGIN

INPUT item_name

INPUT price

INPUT quantity
 CALCULATE bill := price * quantity

PRINT "Total Bill:", bill

CALCULATE tax := bill * (5 / 100)

CALCULATE GST_Bill := bill + tax

PRINT "Bill with GST (5%):", GST_Bill

END

7. Write pseudocode that will perform the following:

a) Read the marks of three subjects: Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics,
out of 100
b) Calculate the aggregate marks
c) Calculate the percentage of marks

Answer –

BEGIN

INPUT computer, maths, phy

COMPUTE aggregate := computer + maths + phy

COMPUTE percentage := (aggregate / 300) * 100

PRINT "Aggregate Marks:", aggregate

PRINT "Percentage:", percentage

END

8. Write an algorithm to find the greatest among two different numbers entered by
the user.

Answer –

BEGIN
 INPUT num1, num2

IF num1 > num2 THEN

PRINT "The greater number is:", num1

ELSE IF num2 > num1 THEN

PRINT "The greater number is:", num2

ELSE

PRINT "Both numbers are equal."

ENDIF

END

9. Write an algorithm that performs the following: Ask a user to enter a number. If
the number is between 5 and 15, write the word GREEN. If the number is between 15
and 25, write the word BLUE. if the number is between 25 and 35, write the word
ORANGE. If it is any other number, write that ALL COLOURS ARE BEAUTIFUL.

Answer –

BEGIN

INPUT num

IF num >= 5 AND num < 15 THEN

PRINT "GREEN"

ELSE IF num >= 15 AND num < 25 THEN

PRINT "BLUE"

ELSE IF num >= 25 AND num < 35 THEN

PRINT "ORANGE"

ELSE

PRINT "ALL COLOURS ARE BEAUTIFUL"

ENDIF
END

10. Write an algorithm that accepts four numbers as input and find the largest and
smallest of them.

Answer –

BEGIN

INPUT num1, num2, num3, num4

SET max := num1

SET min := num1

FOR each num in {num2, num3, num4} DO

IF num > max THEN

SET max := num

ENDIF

IF num < min THEN

SET min := num

ENDIF

ENDFOR

PRINT "Largest number:", max

PRINT "Smallest number:", min

END

11. Write an algorithm to display the total water bill charges of the month depending
upon the number of units consumed by the customer as per the following criteria:

 for the first 100 units @ 5 per unit

  for next 150 units @ 10 per unit
 more than 250 units @ 20 per unit
Also add meter charges of 75 per month to calculate the total water bill .

Answer –

BEGIN

INPUT units

SET bill := 0

IF units > 250 THEN

CALCULATE bill := (100 * 5) + (150 * 10) + ((units - 250) * 20)

ELSE IF units > 100 THEN

CALCULATE bill := (100 * 5) + ((units - 100) * 10)

ELSE

CALCULATE bill := units * 5

ENDIF

CALCULATE totalBill := bill + 75

PRINT "Total Water Bill:", totalBill

END

12. What are conditionals? When they are required in a program?

Answer – Conditionals are used when programs need to make decisions; they help to
check if the input given is valid or not. It also helps to execute specific actions based on
user choice, for example, checking even or odd.

14. Following is an algorithm for going to school or college. Can you suggest
improvements in this to include other options?
Reach_School_Algorithm
a) Wake up
b) Get ready
c) Take lunch box
d) Take bus
e) Get off the bus
f) Reach school or college

Answer –

Reach_School_Algorithm

a) Wake up

b) Brush your teeth

c) Take bath

d) Dress up

e) Eat breakfast

f) Pack your school bag

g) Take lunch box

h) Choose transport option:

- IF using bus THEN take the bus

- ELSE IF walking THEN start walking

- ELSE IF cycling THEN ride your bicycle

- ELSE IF using carpool THEN get in the car

i) Travel to school or college

j) Reach school or college

15. Write a pseudocode to calculate the factorial of a number (Hint: Factorial of 5,

written as 5!=5 4 3 21 ×××× ).

Answer –

BEGIN

INPUT num

SET fact := 1
 SET i := 2

WHILE i <= num DO

CALCULATE fact := fact * i

INCREASE i by 1

ENDWHILE

PRINT "Factorial of", num, "is:", fact

END

16. Draw a flowchart to check whether a given number is an Armstrong number. An

Armstrong number of three digits is an integer such that the sum of the cubes of its
digits is equal to the number itself. For example, 371 is an Armstrong number since
3**3 + 7**3 + 1**3 = 371.

Answer –
17. Following is an algorithm to classify numbers as “Single Digit”, “Double Digit” or
“Big”.

Classify_Numbers_Algo

INPUT Number

IF Number < 9

"Single Digit"

Else If Number < 99

"Double Digit"

Else

"Big"

Verify for (5, 9, 47, 99, 100 200) and correct the algorithm if required

Answer –

INPUT Number

IF Number <= 9 THEN

PRINT "Single Digit"

ELSE IF Number <= 99 THEN

PRINT "Double Digit"

ELSE

PRINT "Big"

ENDIF

18. For some calculations, we want an algorithm that accepts only positive integers
upto 100.

Answer –

BEGIN

INPUT number
 IF (number > 0) AND (number <= 100) AND (number is an integer) THEN

ACCEPT

ELSE

REJECT

ENDIF

END