2. Engineers Solve Problems
Problem solving is a powerful human activity.
Computers are useful tools in problem solving,
but it is the human who actually solves the
problem.
It is impossible to teach specific facts that will
always lead to a solution.
The ability to solve problem comes from doing it.
Many things must pull together to solve a
problem.
3. Problem Solving
Problem solving is a combination of
experience, knowledge, process, and
art
Design process is a series of logical
steps that when followed produce an
optimal solution given time and
resources as two constraints
4. Problem Solving; cont’
A problem is a situation, quantitative or
otherwise, that confronts an individual
or group of individuals, that requires
resolution, and for which the individual
sees no apparent path to the solution.
5. Problem Solving; cont’
Problem solving is a process, an
activity whereby a best value is
determined for an unknown, subject to
a specific set of conditions. It is a
means by which an individual uses
previously acquired knowledge, skills
and understanding to satisfy the
demands of an unfamiliar situation.
6. What skills must be used when
solving a problem?
Knowledge
Motivation
Experience
Communication Skills
Learning Skills
Group Skills
7. Problem Analysis
A distinguishing characteristic of a qualified
engineer is the ability to solve technical
problems; both art and science
Science; knowledge of mathematics,
chemistry, physics, etc
Art; proper judgment, experience, common
sense, and know-how; to know when and
how rigorously science should be applied
and whether the resulting answer
reasonably satisfies the original problem
is an art
8. Techniques for Error Free
Problem Solving
Always draw a picture of the physical
situation,if possible.
State any assumptions made.
Indicate all given properties on the
diagram with their units.
Convert units to a given unit system.
Label unknown quantities with a
question mark.
9. Techniques for Error Free
Problem Solving
From the text, write the main equation
which contains the unknown quantity.
Or
derive the desire algebraic equation by
solving integral or differential equations.
Algebraically manipulate the equation to
isolate the desired quantity.
10. Techniques for Error Free
Problem Solving
Write subordinate equations for the unknown
quantities in the main equation. Indent to
indicate that the equation is subordinate. It
may be necessary to go through several
levels of subordinate equations before all the
quantities in the main equation are known.
Once all algebraic manipulations and
substitutions are made, insert numerical
values with their units.
11. Techniques for Error Free
Problem Solving
Insure that all units cancel.
Check one last time for sign error. Compute
the answer.
Clearly mark the final answer. Indicate
units!
Insure that the final answer makes physical
sense!
Insure that all questions have been
answered.
12. Skills used in Implementing
Problem Solving Strategies
Analysis
Use logic to:
Identify the system to be analyzed
Identify the objective Identify relationships
Divide the system into parts
13. Skills used in Implementing
Problem Solving Strategies
Synthesis
Use creativity to:
Develop ideas via brainstorming
Evaluate the ideas by analysis when
enough ideas have been generated
14. Skills used in Implementing
Problem Solving Strategies
Decision Making
Use logic to
compare the various ideas and
select the “best” one(s)
Generalization - Going from the
specific to the broad use abstraction to:
Aid in analysis, synthesis, and decision
making
15. 3.1 Types of Problems
Research Problems
Knowledge Problems
Troubleshooting Problems
Mathematics Problems
Resource Problems
Social Problems
Design Problems
16. 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
17. 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
18. 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
19. Types of Problems; cont’
Troubleshooting Problems; cont’
e.g. an electronic amplifier has a loud
“hum” when it is in a room with
fluorescent lights.
20. Types of Problems;
cont’
Mathematics Problems
Describe physical phenomena with
mathematical models
Engineers can unleash the extraordinary
power of mathematics, with the rigorously
proven theorems and algorithms
Example; Isaac Newton’s sine square law
can be applied to hypersonic flow
e.g. find x such that 4x + 5 = 0.
21. Types of Problems; cont’
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?
22. 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?
23. Types of Problems; cont’
Design Problems
Require creativity, teamwork, and broad
knowledge
Example; design a new car
Economy car? SUV?
Design goal and parameters
24. Team Exercise
If you have enough money to buy a car,
what kind of car do you like to buy?
If you are a car design engineer, identify
design goal and design parameters
from your team’s preference
25. Team Exercise
Well Posed Design Problem: Design a
new car that can:
1. Go from 0 - 60 mph in 6 seconds
2. Gets 50 miles/gal
3. Costs less than $10,000 to the
consumer
4. Does not exceed government pollution
standards
5. Appeals to aesthetic tastes
26. Team Exercise
1. Identify Problem e.g. we need to
build a new car since we are losing
market share
2. Synthesis (integrating parts to for a
whole) e.g. we can combine an
aerodynamic body with a fuel efficient
engine to make a new car with very
high fuel efficiency
27. Team Exercise
3. Analysis
identify relationships,
distinguish fact from opinion,
detect logic information,
make conclusions from evidence,
select relevant information,
TRANSLATE REAL-WORLD PROBLEM
INTO MATHEMATICAL MODEL
e.g. compare the drag of different body
types and determine if engine can fit
under the hood
28. Team Exercise
4. Application (identify the pertinent
information) e.g. What force is required
to allow the car to go 60 mph knowing
the car has a 30ft2
projected area and a
0.35 drag coefficient based on wind
tunnel data?
29. Team Exercise
5. Comprehension (use the data and
explicit theory to solve the problem)
F = 1/2 Cd ρ A V2
F=force
Cd=drag coef. ρ=air density A=protected
frontal area V=speed
30. Difficulties in Problem Solving
Most common difficulty: failure to use known
information.
To avoid this problem:
Write the problem in primitive form and
sketch an accurate picture of the setup (where
applicable).
Transform the primitive statements to simpler
language.
Translate verbal problems to more abstract
mathematical statement(s) and figures,
diagrams, charts, etc.
31. General Problem Solving
Method
Define and understand problem
1. Sketch the problem
2. Gather information
3. Generate and evaluate potential
solutions
Use applicable theories and assumptions
4. Refine and implement solution
5. Verify and test solution
32. Define and Understand
Understand what is being asked
Describe input/output (I/O)
what are you given
knowns
what are you trying to find
unknowns
Sketch the problem
34. Generate Solution Methods
Apply theories and assumptions.
Typically, there is more than one approach
to solving a problem
Work problem by hand using the potential
solution methods
Break problem into parts; scale it down; etc.
e.g., if the problem was to calculate the average
of 1000 numbers, work the problem by hand
using, say, 10 numbers, in order to establish a
method
35. Refine and Implement
Evaluate solution methods.
accuracy
ease of implementation
etc.
Implement “best” solution.
36. Verify and Test
Compare solution to the problem statement
Is this what you were looking for?
Does your answer make sense?
Clearly identify the solution
Sketch if appropriate
37. CHECK YOUR WORK!!
Don’t stop at getting an answer!!
Think about whether the answer makes
physical sense.
you are the instructor and you have to turn in
final grades. In your haste, you calculate the
average of Susie’s grades (100, 70, 90) to be
78 and give Susie a C...
38. Getting It Right
The problem solving process may be an
iterative process.
If at first you don’t succeed (i.e., the
algorithm test fails), try again…
The more thorough you are at each
step of the problem solving process, the
more likely you are to get it right the first
time!!
39. Team Exercise
Given: A student is in a stationary hot-
air balloon that is momentarily fixed at
1325 ft above a piece of land. This pilot
looks down 60o
(from horizontal) and
turns laterally 360o
.
Note: 1 acre = 43,560 ft2
40. Team Exercise; cont’
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?
41. 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.
• • •
• • •
• • •
Individual Exercise (3 minutes)
43. 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
44. 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
45. Self-Questions for Problem Solving
How important is the answer to a given
problem?
Would a rough, preliminary estimate be
satisfactory or high degree accuracy
demanded?
How much time do you have and what
resources are at your disposal?
Data available or should be collected,
equipments and personnel, etc
46. Self-Questions for Problem Solving
What about the theory you intend to use?
Can you use it now or must learn to use it? Is
it state of the art?
Can you make assumptions that simplify
without sacrificing needed accuracy?
Are other assumptions valid and applicable?
Optimize time and resources vs reliability
47. Engineering Method
1. Recognize and understand the
problem (most difficult part)
2. Accumulate data and verify accuracy
3. Select the appropriate theory or
principles
4. Make necessary assumptions
5. Solve the problem
6. Verify and check results
48. Engineering Method
Perfect solutions to real problems do
not exist. Simplify the problem to solve
it; steady state, rigid body, adiabatic,
isentropic, static etc
To solve a problem, use mathematical
model; direct methods, trial-and-error,
graphic methods, etc.
49. Problem Presentation
Problem statement
Diagram
Theory
Assumptions
Solution steps
Identify results and verify accuracy
50. Standards of Problem Presentation
Engineers should have ability to present
information with great clarity in a neat,
careful manner
Poor engineering documents can be
legal problems in courts
Follow standard forms such as shown
in the textbooks
52. Algorithms
Algorithm: “a step-by-step procedure
for solving a problem or accomplishing
an end” (Webster)
Algorithms can be described by
Pseudocode
Flowcharts
53. Pseudocode
English-like description of each step of
algorithm
Not computer code
Example - take out trash barrels
while there are more barrels
take barrel to street
return to garage
end
54. Flowcharts
Graphical description of algorithm
Standard symbols used for specific
operations
Input/Output
Start/Stop
Branch Test
Process Step
Process Flow
56. Top Down Design
State problem clearly
Sketch problem
Describe input/output (I/O)
Work problem by hand
Algorithm: pseudocode or flowchart
Decomposition - break problem into steps
Stepwise refinement - solve each step
Test the algorithm/check your work!!
57. Example (Team exercise, 15
min)
State problem clearly:
Given ax2
+ bx + c = 0, find x.
Describe I/O:
Input: a, b, c
Output: x
58. Example (cont.)
Hand example:
a=1, b=4, c=4
equation? (See Chapter 6, Mathematics
Supplement)
x=?
59. Example (cont.)
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?