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Problem Solving Methods
Problem Solving Methods
Synthesis
Use creativity to:
Develop ideas via brainstorming
Evaluate the ideas by analysis when
enough ideas have been generated
Skills used in Implementing
Problem Solving Strategies
Decision Making
Use logic to
compare the various ideas and
select the “best” one(s)
Research Problems
Knowledge Problems
Troubleshooting Problems
Mathematics Problems
Resource Problems
Social Problems
Design Problems
Types of Problems; cont’
Research Problems
A hypothesis be proven or disproved
Example; CFC may destroy the earth’s
ozone layer is a hypothesis. Design an
experiment that either proves or disproves
the hypothesis
Types of Problems; cont’
Knowledge Problems
◦ When a person encounters a situation that he
doesn’t understand
◦ Example;
◦ A chemical engineer noticed that the chemical plant
produces more product when it rains
◦ Further study showed that heat exchanger cooled
by rain increasing product
Types of Problems; cont’
Troubleshooting Problems
◦ When equipment or software behaves in
unexpected or improper ways
◦ Example
◦ During vibration test of an aluminum beam, the
amplitude of the response is higher at all exciting
frequencies
◦ Troubleshooting shows that 60 cps of AC current
was close to the natural frequency of the beam
Types of Problems; cont’
Troubleshooting Problems; cont’
e.g. an electronic amplifier has a loud “hum”
Resource Problems
There is never enough time, money, or
equipment to accomplish the task
Engineers who can get the job done in
spite of resource limitations are highly
prized and awarded
e.g. how will we get the money to build our
new factory?
Types of Problems; cont’
Social Problems
For example, if a factory is relocated to
where there is shortage of skilled worker,
engineers should set up training program
for employees
e.g. how can we improve education?
Types of Problems; cont’
Design Problems
Require creativity, teamwork, and broad
knowledge
Example; design a new car
Economy car? SUV?
Design goal and parameters
Team Exercise
Required:
a) Sketch the problem
b) How many acres of land are
contained by the cone created by her
line of site?
c) How high would the balloon be if,
using the same procedure, an area
four times greater is encompassed?
Creative Problem Solving
The nine dots shown
are arranged in equally
spaced rows and
columns. Connect all
nine points with four
straight lines without
lifting the pencil from
the paper and without
retracing any line.
Creative Problem Solving
If you enjoy solving puzzles, you will enjoy
engineering
Crick and Watson figured DNA when they
were young
Engineers create from nature what did not
exist before
In this creative process, the engineer
marshals skills in mathematics, materials,
and other engineering discipline and from
these resources create a new solution for a
human need
Creative Problem Solving
Engineering is not dull or stifling; send
people to moon, communication from
battlefield, etc
Creative artists spent many years perfecting
their skills
Engineers need patience, practice, and
gaining problem-solving techniques by
training
Self-Questions for Problem Solving
How important is the answer to a given
problem?
Would a rough, preliminary estimate be
problems in courts
Follow standard forms such as shown in the
textbooks
Team Assignment
Algorithms
Algorithm: “a step-by-step procedure for
solving a problem or accomplishing an end”
(Webster)
Algorithms can be described by
◦ Pseudocode
◦ Flowcharts
Pseudocode
operations
Branch Test
Flowchart Example
Define the
Begin
problem
yes no
Solve the Output
problem End
results
Top Down Design
Algorithm development
◦ write an algorithm in pseudocode to take any set
of coefficients (i.e., a, b, c) and give the value of
x for each set
Test your algorithm
◦ a,b,c = 1,4,4
◦ a,b,c = 1,1,-6
◦ a,b,c = 1,0,1
◦ other good test cases?