Breaking a complex problem into smaller, independently-solvable parts that combine into a complete solution.
Eating an elephant: one bite at a time. Big problems become many small ones.
Showing a random 20 of 50 problems.
Example 1
easy
Decompose 'compute the mean of [4,6,8]' into two sub-tasks.
Example 2
easy
A task is split into 50 tiny one-line parts that are hard to reconnect. What decomposition mistake is this?
Example 3
hard
A robot task decomposes into: pick up (3 s), move (5 s), place (2 s). With 4 robots doing 20 identical tasks each in parallel, what is the wall-clock time?
Example 4
easy
Which task is a sub-problem of 'send an email': (a) authenticate user, (b) bake a cake?
Example 5
challenge
A problem decomposes into parts taking 4, 7, and 5 minutes. Parts 1 and 2 are independent; part 3 needs both. With two workers, what is the minimum total time?
Example 6
easy
True or false: after decomposition, you still need to combine the sub-solutions.
Example 7
easy
A program is split into sub-problems P1,P2,P3. After solving each, what must you still do to finish?Decomposition flow: after solving all parts, the sub-solutions must be combined.
Example 8
easy
To search a phone book, you split it in half and search one half. Splitting the problem into a smaller version of itself is which technique?
Example 9
easy
Decompose 'compute the average of a list' into two sub-tasks. Name them.
Example 10
hard
Decompose 'validate password' as: length>=8, has uppercase, has digit. For 'Cat12345' (8 chars, includes C, includes digits), does it pass all sub-checks?
Example 11
challenge
You must compute the total area of an L-shaped region. Show how decomposition gives a clean approach, using a 6x4 rectangle and a 2x3 rectangle.
Example 12
easy
True or false: in decomposition, the sub-problems should ideally be solvable independently of each other.
Example 13
medium
You decompose 'grade a quiz' into: (1) read answers, (2) compare to key, (3) total the score. If step 3 needs results from step 2, which steps are independent of each other?Steps 2 and 3 form a chain; Step 1 is the independent step.
Example 14
easy
You need to plan a school sports day. Decompose this problem into smaller sub-problems.
Example 15
medium
Decompose 'is 360 divisible by 12' into the two sub-checks: divisible by 4 AND divisible by 3. Apply both.
Example 16
medium
To validate a password you decompose into: length>=8, has a digit, has a letter. For 'abc12345' (8 chars, has digits and letters), does it pass all sub-checks?
Example 17
medium
Decompose 'check if a year (e.g. 2020) is a leap year' into the rule: divisible by 4 AND (not divisible by 100 OR divisible by 400). Apply to 2020.
Example 18
medium
You decompose 'process 8000 records' into 4 equal batches. How many records per batch?
Example 19
hard
Decompose merge sort on [4,1,3,2]: split into [4,1] and [3,2], sort each, then merge. Show the final list.
Example 20
medium
Decompose 'is 2024 a leap year' into sub-checks: divisible by 4? by 100? by 400? Apply the rule and answer.