Question 1

Which two subsets is Problem Solving usually broken down to?
A) Intuitive and Practical
B) Analytic and Creative
C) Intuitive and Creative
D) Analytic and Intuitive

Accepted Answer

Problem Solving is typically divided into Analytic, which involves logical and methodical approaches, and Creative, which involves innovative and imaginative thinking.

Question 2

What is the one function common to all engineers?
A) Management
B) Research
C) Design
D) Sales

Accepted Answer

Design is a fundamental function common to all engineers, as it involves creating solutions to problems and developing plans for new products or systems.

Question 3

What types of skills receive significant coverage in the first few years of an engineering education?
A) Analytic
B) Creative
C) Intuitive
D) Estimating

Accepted Answer

Engineering education typically emphasizes analytic skills in the early years, focusing on mathematics, physics, and problem-solving techniques.

Question 4

Which of the following is not a possible tool or strategy that can help solve simple problems?
A) Work backwards
B) Brainstorm
C) Wild guess
D) Get a bigger hammer

Accepted Answer

Wild guess is not a possible tool or strategy that can help solve simple problems.

Question 5

Which of the following is the first step in the Scientific Method?
A) Gather the facts
B) Develop a hypothesis
C) Define the problem
D) Perform a test

Accepted Answer

The first step in the Scientific Method is to define the problem, which involves identifying and clearly stating the question or issue that needs to be investigated.

Question 6

Which of the following is the very last step in the Analytic Method for Engineers?
A) Verify accuracy
B) Solve the necessary problems
C) Simplify the assumptions
D) Apply theory and equations

Accepted Answer

The very last step in the Analytic Method for Engineers is to verify the accuracy of the solution to ensure it meets the problem's requirements and constraints.

Question 7

The example in Chapter 8 where an engineer's "back of the envelope" calculations turned out to be amazingly close to the real calculations is an example of what?
A) Brainstorming
B) Estimation
C) Divergence
D) Research

Accepted Answer

Estimation involves making approximate calculations or judgments, often quickly and with limited information, which aligns with the "back of the envelope" calculations described.

Question 8

The process of "starting at one point and reaching for as many ideas as possible" is an example of what type of approach to problem solving?
A) Divergence
B) Convergence

Accepted Answer

Divergence is the process of starting at one point and reaching for as many ideas as possible.

Question 9

Which of the following is not one of Basadur's four different quadrants used in the circular model of creative problem solving?
A) Optimizing
B) Implementing
C) Conceptualizing
D) Brainstorming

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is not one...

Question 10

"No Evaluating", "Record Ideas", and "Pick Three" are all example techniques for doing what?
A) Brainstorming
B) Estimation
C) Accuracy Verification
D) Simplifying Assumptions

Accepted Answer

The answer of "No Evaluating", "Record Ideas", and "Pick Three"...

Question 11

Answering questions such as "What is wrong?" and "What do we know?" are both examples of analytic problem solving.

Accepted Answer

Analytic problem solving involves breaking down a problem into its component parts and analyzing them to identify the root cause and potential solutions. Answering questions such as "What is wrong?" and "What do we know?" are both examples of this process, as they require the solver to analyze the problem and identify the relevant information and relationships.

Quiz 7: Problem Solving

Which two subsets is Problem Solving usually broken down to?

What is the one function common to all engineers?

What types of skills receive significant coverage in the first few years of an engineering education?

Which of the following is not a possible tool or strategy that can help solve simple problems?

Which of the following is the first step in the Scientific Method?

Which of the following is the very last step in the Analytic Method for Engineers?

The example in Chapter 8 where an engineer's "back of the envelope" calculations turned out to be amazingly close to the real calculations is an example of what?

The process of "starting at one point and reaching for as many ideas as possible" is an example of what type of approach to problem solving?

Which of the following is not one of Basadur's four different quadrants used in the circular model of creative problem solving?

"No Evaluating", "Record Ideas", and "Pick Three" are all example techniques for doing what?

Answering questions such as "What is wrong?" and "What do we know?" are both examples of analytic problem solving.