Modeling Decomposition

Which of the following is a problem solving technique used by computer scientists?

• Decomposition

• Experimentation

• Sketching

• Brainstorming

An algorithm is the sequence of instructions or a set of rules to complete a task.

• True

• False

Which of these would NOT be involved in decomposing a problem?

• Thinking about how the problem could be divided into smaller parts

• Working out who could help you solve a part of the problem

• Adding more parts to the problem so it becomes more complex

What is decomposition?

• Adding detail to make a problem more complex

• Breaking down a complex problem or system into smaller, more manageable parts

• When you ignore the unnecessary detail in a problem

Decomposition is important because...?

• It's taught in school

• It makes problems easier to solve

• It's how computers work

• It can solve any problem

How often do we decompose problems?

• We never decompose them, computers do this for us

• Occasionally, but we don't really need to

• Every day, often without thinking about it

Which of these is an example of decomposition?

• Watching a mechanic repair a car

• Finding out how a car works by looking in detail at the different parts that make up the car

• Looking at different car models for similarities between them

Which of these describes 'get a brush' if asked to decompose 'brushing your teeth'

• Clear

• Not specific

• It's fine

• Specific

Which of these best descibes an action when 'brushing your teeth'

• Put toothpast on the toothbrush

• Squeeze toothpaste on to the toothbrush

• Squeeze toothpaste onto the bristles of the toothbrush

• Squeeze a pea shaped size of toothpaste onto the bristles of the toothbrush

'Squeeze a peas sized amount of toothpaste onto the bristles of a toothbrush' is a good instruction because... (tick all that apply)

• It is specific

• It gives an idea of size

• It talks about the actions to perform