Problem-Solving
• Intelligent Problem-Solving Through Search Algorithms
• The Complete Guide to AI Search Strategies
• Topics Covered:
1. Problem-Solving Agents & Formulation
2. Uninformed vs Informed Search
3. Constraint Satisfaction Problems
4. Adversarial Search & Game Theory
• Visual: Network diagram showing multiple paths from start to goal
Importance & Relevance
• Why Learn Search Algorithms?
• 🚀 Real-World Applications:
• GPS Navigation → Pathfinding algorithms
• Game AI → Character movement and decision making
• Robotics → Motion planning and task execution
• Network Routing → Data packet transmission paths
• Puzzle Solving → Sudoku, crosswords, logic puzzles
• 💡 Key Benefits:
• Systematic approach to problem-solving
• Foundation for advanced AI systems
• Optimization of solutions
• Handling complex decision spaces
Visual: Icons showing GPS, robot, network nodes, puzzle pieces
• Course Outcomes
What You Will Achieve
After this module, you will be able to:
✅ Formulate real-world problems as search problems
✅ Implement and compare different search strategies
✅ Apply heuristic methods for efficient problem-solving
✅ Solve constraint satisfaction problems
✅ Design game-playing algorithms
✅ Analyze algorithm performance and complexity
Visual: Checklist animation with progress indicators
Central Idea - The Core Concept
Search: The Universal Problem-Solver
• Fundamental Principle:
• "For any problem where sequences of actions lead from initial state to goal state, search
algorithms can find the solution."
• Key Components:
1. Initial State - Where we begin
2. Actions - Possible moves/decisions
3. Transition Model - Result of actions
4. Goal Test - Are we done?
5. Path Cost - How expensive is the solution?
🎯 Practical Example: Delivery Route Planning
6. Initial: Warehouse location
7. Actions: Move to next delivery point
8. Goal: All packages delivered
9. Cost: Total distance traveled
Assignment Questions????
1. What is a state space in problem-solving? Give a simple example.
2. List the steps that a problem-solving agent follows.
3. How is uninformed search different from informed (heuristic) search? Give one
example of each.
4. What does a heuristic do in search, and what does it mean for a heuristic to be
admissible?
5. For the 8-puzzle, explain the ‘misplaced tiles’ and ‘Manhattan distance’ heuristics.
Which helps solve the puzzle faster?
6. What makes up a Constraint Satisfaction Problem (CSP)? Write a CSP for coloring a
simple map with 3 colors.
7. What is arc consistency in CSPs? Why is it useful?
8. What does the MRV heuristic do in backtracking search?
9. Describe the min-conflicts method in local search. When is it most helpful?
10. What is alpha-beta pruning, and why is move order important for it?
2.2Problem-Solving Agents
The Intelligent Decision Maker
What is a Problem-Solving Agent?
An AI agent that uses search to decide actions by looking ahead.
Agent Components:
• Sensors - Perceive current state
• Search Algorithm - Find sequence of actions
• Actuators - Execute the solution
🏠 Example: Vacuum Cleaner Robot
• States: Room locations and cleanliness
• Actions: Move left, move right, suck dirt
• Goal: All locations clean
• Cost: Minimum moves and actions
Visual: Robot vacuum in a grid-based room layout
2.3 Example Problem
Problem Type Example Formulation
States: Locations, Actions:
Navigation Google Maps
Move between nodes
States: Tile arrangements,
Puzzles 8-Puzzle
Actions: Slide tiles
States: Partial assemblies,
Planning Assembly Line
Actions: Add components
• 8-Puzzle Example:
• Initial: Goal:
123 123
456 456
78- 78-
• Actions: Slide blank space up/down/left/right
Visual: Side-by-side comparison of initial and goal states for 8-puzzle
2.4 Searching for Solutions
The Search Tree Approach 🌳 Tree Visualization:
Building the Search Space:
Start
1. Root Node: Initial state / \
2. Branches: Possible actions State1 State2
/\ /\
3. Leaves: Goal states or dead ends State3 State4 Goal
Search Strategies Differ In:
4. Order of node expansion
5. Memory usage
6. Completeness (guarantees solution)
7. Optimality (finds best solution)
Visual: Animated tree growth showing node expansion
2.5 Uninformed Search Strategies
Blind Search Methods
Algorithm Strategy Pros Cons
Breadth-First Level by level Complete, Optimal Memory intensive
Deep first, then
Depth-First Memory efficient May not find optimal
backtrack
Uniform-Cost Cheapest path first Optimal for cost Slower
Navigation Example:
• BFS: Explore all nearby locations first
• DFS: Follow one road to the end, then backtrack
• UCS: Always take the shortest available road
Visual: Map showing different exploration patterns
Informed (Heuristic) Search
Smart Search with Clues
What is a Heuristic?
• A "rule of thumb" that estimates cost to goal
• Not guaranteed to be perfect
• Helps guide search efficiently
A Search Algorithm:*
f(n) = g(n) + h(n)
• Where:
• g(n) = Actual cost from start to n
• h(n) = Estimated cost from n to goal
• Real Example: GPS Navigation
• g(n): Distance already traveled
• h(n): Straight-line distance to destination
• A*: Balances actual cost with optimistic estimate
• Visual: Map showing actual path vs straight-line estimate