Learning objective
Problem abstraction/reduction: Know that details are removed until the problem is represented in a way that is possible to solve, because the problem reduces to one that has already been solved.
Read the explanation, check the common trap, then practise with flashcards and questions.
At a glance
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Flashcards
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Questions
Topic
Abstraction and automation
Subtopic
Problem abstraction/reduction
Study support
Understand this objective
Quick explanation
Problem abstraction/reduction: Know that details are removed until the problem is represented in a way that is possible to solve, because the problem reduces to one that has already been solved
- This point belongs to Abstraction and automation, especially Problem abstraction/reduction.
- You need to be able to problem abstraction/reduction: Know that details are removed until the problem is represented in a way that is possible to solve, because the problem reduces to one that has already been solved.
- Use the linked flashcards and practice questions to check recall, then practise applying the idea in an exam-style answer.
Why it matters
This objective helps connect Problem abstraction/reduction to exam-style questions, flashcards, and revision notes for Abstraction and automation.
Quick student answer
What is the main purpose of abstraction when solving a problem?
Direct answer
To remove unnecessary details so the problem can be represented in a solvable way
Key terms
- Abstraction: The process of removing details from a problem until it is represented in a way that is possible to solve.
- Problem reduction: Representing a problem as one that has already been solved so that its known solution can help solve the new problem.
Common trap
Confusing abstraction with removing everything: Only unnecessary details are removed. Relevant information must remain so that the problem can still be represented and solved.
Related questions
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Flashcard prompts
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Revision tools
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Related learning objectives
- Problem-solving: Be able to develop solutions to simple logic problems. Be able to check solutions to simple logic problems.
Problem-solving
- Following and writing algorithms: Understand the term algorithm. A sequence of steps that can be followed to complete a task and that always terminates. Be able to express the solution to a simple problem as an algorithm using pseudo-code, with the standard constructs: • sequence • assignment • selection • iteration. Be able to hand-trace algorithms. Be able to convert an algorithm from pseudo- code into high level language program code. 54 Be able to articulate how a program works, arguing for its correctness and its efficiency using logical reasoning, test data and user feedback.
Following and writing algorithms
- Abstraction: Be familiar with the concept of abstraction as used in computations and know that: • representational abstraction is a representation arrived at by removing unnecessary details • abstraction by generalisation or categorisation is a grouping by common characteristics to arrive at a hierarchical relationship of the 'is a kind of' type.
Abstraction
- Information hiding: Be familiar with the process of hiding all details of an object that do not contribute to its essential characteristics.
Information hiding
- Procedural abstraction: Know that procedural abstraction represents a computational method. The result of abstracting away the actual values used in any particular computation is a computational pattern or computational method - a procedure.
Procedural abstraction