Global School System

Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking

Q1. What is a problem? Explain simple and complex problems?

ANS. A problem is a situation or question that needs to be solved or answered.

It is something that creates difficulty or confusion and needs a solution.

Example:
You have math homework and you don’t know how to solve one question — that’s a problem.

🧩 Types of Problems
There are two main types of problems:

1. Simple Problems

Meaning:
A simple problem is easy to understand and solve.
It usually has a clear question and a known method to find the answer.

Features:

 Only a few steps are needed.

 Information is clear.
 The solution is easy to find.

Example:
Finding the sum of 2 + 3 = 5.
You know exactly what to do — just add the numbers.

2. Complex Problems

Meaning:
A complex problem is more difficult to solve.
 Global School System
Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking
It has many parts or different factors that affect the solution.
Sometimes the solution is not clear right away.

Features:

 Needs deep thinking and planning.

 May have more than one correct answer.
 Takes more time and effort.

Example:
Planning how to reduce pollution in your city.
You need to think about traffic, factories, waste management, and public behavior — all at once.

💡 Summary
Type of Problem Description Example
Simple Problem Easy to understand and solve 2+3=?
Complex Problem Has many parts, needs deep thinking Reducing pollution

Q2. Identifying a computational problem. Decision problem, search

problem and counting problem?

Ans. A computational problem is a problem that can be solved by a computer using a set of
instructions or an algorithm.

It gives some input (data) and asks for an output (answer).

Example:
If you give a computer two numbers (input) and ask it to add them (output), that’s a
computational problem.

🧩 Types of Computational Problems

 Global School System
Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking
There are mainly three types of computational problems:

1. Decision Problems
2. Search Problems
3. Counting Problems

Let’s understand each one simply 👇

1. ✅ Decision Problem

Meaning:
A decision problem asks a yes or no question.
The computer just needs to decide between two answers — Yes (True) or No (False).

Example:

 Is the number 25 even? → ❌ No

 Is 17 a prime number? → ✅ Yes

In short:
A decision problem checks if something is true or false.

2. 🔍 Search Problem

Meaning:
A search problem asks the computer to find something that satisfies a condition.
It’s not just “yes or no” — the computer must find the answer.

Example:

 Find the largest number in a list.

 Find the shortest path between two cities.

In short:
A search problem looks for the best or correct answer from many possibilities.
 Global School System
Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking

3. 🔢 Counting Problem

Meaning:
A counting problem asks the computer to count how many answers (or solutions) satisfy a
condition.

Example:

 How many even numbers are there between 1 and 50?

 How many ways can you arrange 3 letters (A, B, C)?

In short:
A counting problem counts the number of possible solutions.

📊 Summary Table
Type of Problem What it Asks For Example Type of Answer
Decision
Yes/No answer Is 17 a prime number? ✅ Yes or ❌ No
Problem
Search Problem Find a solution Find the largest number in a list A specific value
Counting Count number of How many even numbers from A number (like
Problem solutions 1–50? 25)

[Link] is input-processing-output?

Ans. The Input–Processing–Output (IPO) model is the basic way a computer works.
It shows how data enters a computer, how it is worked on, and how results come out.

1. 🧩 Input
 Global School System
Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking
Meaning:
Input is the data or information that you give to the computer.

Example:

 Typing numbers on a keyboard

 Clicking with a mouse
 Scanning a barcode

In short:
➡️ Input means entering data into the computer.

2. ⚙️ Processing

Meaning:
Processing is the work done by the computer on the input data to make it useful.
This step is handled by the CPU (Central Processing Unit).

Example:

 Adding two numbers

 Sorting names in order
 Converting data into a chart

In short:
⚙️ Processing means the computer thinks or works on the data.

3. 📤 Output

Meaning:
Output is the final result that the computer gives after processing.

Example:

 The answer to a math problem on the screen

 A printed report
 Global School System
Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking
 A sound or image displayed

In short:
📤 Output means the result we get from the computer.

🔄 Example of IPO in Real Life

Let’s take a simple example — Calculator adding two numbers:

Step Description Example

Input You enter two numbers 5 and 3
Processing Computer adds them 5+3
Output The result is shown 8

🧩 Summary
Stage What Happens Example
Input Data is entered into the computer Typing 5 and 3
Processing Computer works on the data Adds 5 + 3
Output Result is shown to the user 8

Computational Thinking means thinking like a computer scientist — breaking a big problem
into smaller parts so it can be solved step by step.

It helps us understand problems clearly and create solutions that computers (and humans) can
follow easily.

There are four main principles of computational thinking:

 Global School System
Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking
1. 🧩 Decomposition

Meaning:
Breaking a big or complex problem into smaller, simpler parts.

Why it helps:
It’s easier to solve small problems one by one instead of a big confusing one.

Example:
If you are designing a game —
You can divide it into smaller parts:

 Designing characters
 Setting rules
 Creating levels
 Adding sounds

2. 🔍 Pattern Recognition

Meaning:
Looking for similarities or patterns in problems or data.

Why it helps:
When you find patterns, you can use the same solution or method for similar problems.

Example:
If you know how to multiply 2 × 3,
you can easily find 2 × 4, 2 × 5, etc., by following the same pattern.

3. 🧩 Abstraction

Meaning:
Focusing only on the important information and ignoring unnecessary details.

Why it helps:
It keeps your solution simple and clear.
 Global School System
Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking
Example:
When drawing a map, you don’t show every tree or stone —
you only show roads, buildings, and landmarks that matter.

4. 🧩 Algorithm Design

Meaning:
Creating a step-by-step plan or set of rules to solve a problem.

Why it helps:
It gives clear instructions that can be followed by a person or a computer.

Example:
To make tea:

1. Boil water
2. Add tea leaves
3. Add milk and sugar
4. Pour and serve

This is an algorithm for making tea!

📘 Summary Table
Principle Meaning Example
Break the problem into smaller Divide a game into design, sound, and
Decomposition
parts rules
Pattern Multiply numbers using the same
Find similarities or patterns
Recognition pattern
Abstraction Focus on important details only Draw a map with only main roads
Algorithm Design Make step-by-step instructions Recipe to make tea
 Global School System
Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking
[Link] is a flow chart? Explain its properties also draw flow
chart.

Ans. A flowchart is a diagram that shows the steps of a process or program using symbols
and arrows.

It helps us to understand, plan, and communicate how a task or computer program works —
step by step.

In simple words:
A flowchart is like a map of a process that shows what happens first, next, and last.

🧩 Example in Real Life

If you make tea, your flow of work is:
Start → Boil water → Add tea leaves → Add milk and sugar → Pour into cup → Stop

A flowchart can show these steps clearly using symbols.

🧩 Common Symbols Used in a Flowchart

Symbol Name Purpose
⭕ / 🔷 Terminator (Start/Stop) Shows the beginning or end of the process
⬜ Process Box Shows an action or instruction (e.g., add, calculate)
🔷 Decision (Diamond) Shows a question with Yes/No or True/False answer
⬣ Input/Output (Parallelogram) Shows input or output of data
➡️ Arrow Line Shows the direction or flow of steps

⚙️ Properties of a Good Flowchart

1. Clarity – It should be easy to understand.
 Global School System
Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking
2. Logical Flow – Steps should be arranged in a correct and clear order.
3. Simplicity – It should not be too complicated.
4. Consistency – Use the same symbols and direction throughout.
5. Direction of Flow – Usually flows from top to bottom or left to right.
6. Start and End Points – Every flowchart must have a clear start and end.

🧩 Example: Flowchart for Making a Cup of Tea

Here’s a simple flowchart drawn using text symbols (you can also draw this in your notebook):

⭕ Start
↓
⬜ Boil water
↓
⬜ Add tea leaves
↓
⬜ Add milk and sugar
↓
⬜ Pour into cup
↓
⭕ Stop

📘 Summary
 A flowchart is a visual representation of steps in a process.
 It uses symbols and arrows to show the flow of control.
 It helps in planning, debugging, and understanding programs.

Q5. What is LARP, Concept maps and Game design?

ANS. 🎭 1. LARP (Live Action Role Play)

 Global School System
Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking
Meaning:
LARP stands for Live Action Role Play.
It is an activity where people act out roles or characters in real life to solve problems or tell a
story.

It’s like playing a drama, but the story and decisions are made by the players.

Example:
Students act as doctors, patients, and nurses to understand how a hospital works.
They “play” the roles in real life — this is LARP.

Purpose:

 Helps in learning by doing.

 Encourages creativity, teamwork, and decision-making.

In short:
LARP means learning or solving problems by acting out real-life situations.

🧩 2. Concept Map

Meaning:
A Concept Map is a visual diagram that shows relationships between ideas or concepts.

It usually starts with one main idea in the center and connects to related ideas with lines or
arrows.

Example:
If your main topic is Computer, your concept map might include:

 Hardware
 Software
 Input devices
 Output devices

Purpose:

 Helps organize information.

 Global School System
Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking
 Makes it easier to understand complex topics.
 Shows how ideas are connected.

In short:
A Concept Map is like a mind map that shows how different ideas link together.

🎮 3. Game Design

Meaning:
Game Design is the process of creating rules, goals, and challenges for a game.
It decides how the game works and how players interact with it.

Example:
In a racing game —

 Rules: Follow the track, no crashing.

 Goal: Reach the finish line first.
 Challenge: Avoid obstacles and control speed.

Purpose:

 To make games interesting and fun.

 To encourage problem-solving and logical thinking.

In short:
Game Design is about planning how a game looks, works, and feels.

📘 Summary Table
Term Meaning Example Purpose
LARP Acting out real-life roles Acting as doctors or teachers Learn by doing
Concept Diagram showing related Map of “Computer” → Organize and connect
Map ideas Hardware, Software ideas
 Global School System
Grade 8 and 9
Chapter 2 Computational Thinking
Term Meaning Example Purpose
Game Planning the rules and Encourage creativity
Designing a racing game
Design goals of a game and logic