Chapter 1 Outcomes
Problem Solving: A Map of the Territory

After completing this chapter and participating in class, you should be able to accomplish each of the following outcomes.

Knowledge Outcomes

  1. Define each of the key terms listed in the chart below.

    2. known unknown redundant information
    formula relationship formula calculator
    computer application program text processing
    type font format desk top publishing
    spread sheet data base systematics
    program error test data error message
    hardware software editor
    brainstorming lateral thinking  

  2. Define what is meant by problem solving.

  3. State the knowns, unknowns, and the relationship between these when solving logic problems.

  4. Describe the importance of expressing relationships between knowns and unknowns compared to memorizing formula.

  5. Compare and contrast the nature of the types of problems that can be solved based on the tools that you have at your disposal to solve them (pencil and paper, calculator, computer).

  6. State some of the problems that computers routinely solve that were once nearly impossible.

  7. List the main types of application software and compare learning about application software to learning about computer programming.

  8. Differentiate between the complete domain of problems posed in the universe, and the small sub-set of problems which can be solved by computers.

  9. Describe the importance of being systematic to science and computer science by discussing the relationship between organizing knowledge and being systematic.

  10. Explain the two different types of emphasis that computer programming demands of us.

  11. Describe the purpose of the problems and the questions for discussion found in each chapter.

  12. Explain brainstorming and discuss how it can be used to help us solve problems.

  13. Explain lateral thinking, and discuss how it can be used to help us solve problems.

Skills Outcomes

  1. Differentiate between logical problems and design problems.

  2. Write formula relationships for questions using knowns and unknowns.

  3. Identify well posed and poorly posed problems. Explain why they are such.