Computer Science
Grade 6
20 min
10. Chapter Project: Problem Decomposition Challenge
Work on a small project requiring students to decompose a problem, design an algorithm, and present their solution.
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Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Analyze a project description to identify its main goal.
Break down a large problem into 3-5 smaller, manageable sub-problems.
Identify the necessary inputs, processes, and outputs for a given problem.
Arrange sub-problems into a logical, step-by-step sequence.
Write a simple plan for a program using pseudocode.
Apply the concept of problem decomposition to plan a simple coding project.
Have you ever tried to build a giant LEGO set or bake a complicated cake? 🎂 You can't do it all at once; you have to follow the instructions step-by-step!
In this project, you'll become a master planner! You will learn how to take a big, tricky computer science problem and break it down into small, easy-to-solve pieces. This skill, called problem decomposition,...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Problem DecompositionThe process of breaking down a large, complex problem into smaller, more manageable, and easier-to-understand parts.If the big problem is 'make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich,' the smaller parts are: get two slices of bread, get the peanut butter, get the jelly, spread peanut butter on one slice, spread jelly on the other, and put the slices together.
AlgorithmA list of step-by-step instructions for solving a problem or completing a task.A recipe for baking cookies is an algorithm. It tells you exactly what to do in the correct order.
PseudocodeA way of planning out a program using plain English instead of actual programming code. It helps you think through the steps before you start coding.Instead of `print('What is your name?...
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Core Syntax & Patterns
Top-Down Design
Start with the main goal, then break it into big steps, then break those big steps into even smaller steps.
Use this method to organize your thoughts. It's like creating an outline for an essay, but for a computer program. It helps ensure you don't miss any steps.
The IPO Model (Input-Process-Output)
For any task, first ask: 1. What do I need (Input)? 2. What will I do with it (Process)? 3. What will I get at the end (Output)?
Use this pattern to analyze any sub-problem. It forces you to think about what information is required before you can start planning the actions.
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Challenging
Your project is a quiz game. One sub-problem is 'Check if the user's answer is correct.' The user types 'Paris' but the correct answer is stored as 'paris'. The check fails. To fix this, what new, smaller step should be added to the 'Check answer' sub-problem?
A.Ask the user to type their answer again
B.Convert both the user's answer and the correct answer to the same case (e.g., lowercase) before comparing them
C.Give the user a hint
D.Store all correct answers in uppercase only
Challenging
Your project asks for the user's age. Your plan is: 1. Get age as input. 2. Check if age is > 12. A user enters '-5'. Your current plan doesn't account for this. How should you update your decomposition to handle this?
A.Add a new step between 1 and 2: 'Check if age is a positive number'
B.Change step 2 to check if age is > 0
C.Assume any negative number means the user is a baby
D.Delete the 'get age' step entirely
Challenging
You are given a project to find the average of 5 numbers. Then, you get a new project to find the average of 20 numbers. What is the most efficient way to adapt your original decomposition plan?
A.Start over from scratch and create a brand new plan
B.Add 15 new steps, one for each new number
C.Modify the plan to use a loop that runs 20 times instead of 5
D.Just use the old plan and run it four times
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