Cognitive Reflection Test Problem Decomposition Strategies 3

Question 1

Which strategy solves a problem by breaking it into cases and handling each case separately?

Accepted Answer

Case analysis

Answer

Case analysis partitions the problem into exhaustive cases solved individually.

Question 2

A bat and ball cost $1.10; the bat costs $1.00 more than the ball. What does the ball cost?

Accepted Answer

$0.05

Answer

Ball = x, bat = x + 1.00, so 2x + 1.00 = 1.10 gives x = $0.05.

Question 3

When you solve a smaller version of a problem first to understand the pattern, this strategy is called:

Accepted Answer

Solving a simpler related problem

Answer

Tackling a simpler analogous problem reveals structure applicable to the full problem.

Question 4

In bottom-up decomposition, how do you build toward the solution?

Accepted Answer

Combine small solved pieces into larger structures

Answer

Bottom-up assembles small verified components into progressively larger solutions.

Question 5

Why is verifying each sub-solution important during decomposition?

Accepted Answer

Errors in a sub-part can propagate to the final answer

Answer

An unchecked sub-error can cascade and corrupt the overall result.

Cognitive Reflection Test Practice Test