Decomposing problems

Decomposition is the process of breaking down data. It can include a number of processes or steps necessary in order to solve the problem. By decomposing the problem, we can identify the components, or smaller parts, of the problem before we generalize the pattern.

Through decomposition, we can identify and solve one case in order to then generalize those steps to all possible instances of the problem. In order to really understand decomposition, we will need to go back to our problem stated earlier, which, simply stated, is asking the question: Will my height result in more money if I take my height in quarters or should I take a $250 payout? We can state that we want to know one instance and do that problem mathematically one time, such as solving the problem for my own height only. However, we may need the information for other instances. We could create a program that just identifies which option, $250 or your height in quarters, would be best. Or we could...