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MEC101 Introduction to
Engineering & Problem Solving
Chapter 3 Engineering
Solutions

Contents
3.1 Engineering Analysis
3.2 Problem Presentation & Organization
3.3 Laboratory Report Writing
3.4 Computer Solution
3.5 Use Computers & Scientific Calculators in
Problem Solving

Practice of Engineering

Accumulate knowledge & experience

Use in fundamental area in engineering

Design

Problem solving

Problem Solving

Combination of
1. Knowledge
2. Experience
3. Process
4. Art

Ability to solve technical problems (involves a

combination of art and sciences)

By science means by knowledge of the principle of

mathematics, chemistry, physics etc.

By art means the proper judgment, experience and

common sense. the art of problem solving is a skill
developed with practice.

Problem Analysis

Before the solution taken, consider the follows:

1. How important is the answer to the given
problem?
2. Would a rough, preliminary estimate be
satisfactory or is a high degree of accuracy
demanded?
3. How much time do you have and what
resources are at your disposal?

Problem solving is approach in a logical and

organized method, if it follows a process

Problem solving
Can be more efficient if it follows a process

Engineering Method
As an example of a process!
Consists of six basic steps

Engineering Method
1. Recognize and understand the problem
2. Accumulate data and verify accuracy
3. Select appropriate theory or principal
4. Make necessary assumption
5. Solve the problem
6. Verify and Check Results

1. Recognize & Understand problem

For student normally the problem is clear
If the problem is not well defined
1. Study the problem
2. Eliminate the things that are unimportant
3. Focusing on the root of the problem
4. This can help eliminating false trial & shortening
time taken

2. Accumulate data & Verify accuracy

All pertinent physical facts, such as sizes, temperature,
voltages, currents, costs, concentrations, weights, times
etc. must be ascertained
Do not mix or confuse these details with data that are
suspected or only assumed to be accurate.
Deal only with items that can be verified.

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3. Select the appropriate theory or

principal
Select appropriate theories or scientific
principles that apply to the solution of the
problem.
Understand and identify limitations or
constrains that apply to the selected theory.

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4. Make necessary assumptions

Perfect solution to real problem do not exists
Simplification and assumptions need to be made
** step no. 3 and no. 4 the order of these two
steps may be reversed

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5. Solve the problem

Solve using the application of mathematical
theory provided by previous step
Trial error solution also applicable
Results normally will be in numerical form with
appropriate units.

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6. Verify and Check Results

Result must be check to ensure the correctness
Correctness can be verified by:
Repeat solution using different technique
Experiment
Examined the answer whether it makes sense or
not

Units used correct units dimensionally

correct..

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3.2 Problem Presentation

and Organization
Engineer must know how to translate the information
collected/accumulated into
problem solution

a well documented

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Problem Presentation
1. Problem statement
2. Diagram
3. Theory
4. Assumptions
5. Solutions Steps
6. Identify results and verify accuracy

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1. Problem statement
State as concisely as possible the problem to be
solved.
The statement should be a summary of the
given information, but must contain all essential
material.
Clearly state what is to be determined.

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2. Diagram
A picture paints a thousand words!!

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2. Diagram
Prepare a diagram with all pertinent
dimensions, flow rates, currents, voltages,
weights etc.
A very efficient method of showing given
and needed information.
Appropriate way of illustrating the
physical setup, which may be difficult to
describe adequately in words.

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3. Theory
Referenced equation with completely
defined variables is sufficient.
Extensive theoretical derivation may be
necessary because the appropriate theory
has to be derived, developed or modified.

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4. Assumptions
List in complete detail all assumption that
have been made to realize solution to the
problem.
Important for readers understanding of
solution and limitations.

5. Solution steps - steps of solving the

problem

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6. Identify results and verify accuracy

Clearly identify the final answer.
Requires that the answer be examined to
determined if it is realistic, so check
solution accuracy and if possible, verify
the results.

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Example of Problem Solution presentation

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Example of Problem Solution presentation

LABORATORY REPORT
WRITING
A GOOD lab report does more than present data ;
it demonstrates the writer's comprehension of the
concepts behind the data

General Suggestions
Write a neat report. You should ensure that all
sentences are grammatically correct and that
there are no mistakes in spelling.
Organize your data in a data table.
Carry units in all calculations.

GUIDELINES
1. COVER PAGE
The cover page of your lab report should
include:
the name of the experiment;
your instructor's name;
your name & student id ;
the date the lab was performed;
the lab due date or submitted.

1. TITLE
2. OBJECTIVE
The objective is the reason you are doing the
experiment.
Before you write the objective you need to know why
you are doing the experiment.
The objective should be stated clearly in your own
words.

3. EQUIPMENT
This section contains a list of the equipment that you
used to perform the experiment.
When possible, draw a diagram to illustrate the
apparatus. Give the make and model
number of the equipment where possible

4. PROCEDURE
This section includes a description of what you did. You do not report
any results in this section. Explain what you did clearly enough for
other people to follow your directions to repeat the experiment. A
step by step format is the best approach.

5. RESULT & CALCULATION

This section is where measurements taken during the experiment
are reported.
Data should be reported in a clear and organized way (pie chart,
diagram, graph).
Calculations based on the data are presented in this section. You
need to report all the calculations that you did. You need to provide
the formulas used to compute your results. Sample calculation.

6. DISCUSSION
This section provide a discussion of whether or
not you feel the errors are reasonable.
It is the most important part of your report,
because here, you show that you
understand the experiment beyond the simple
level of completing it.

Explain. Analyze. Interpret

Analysis

Interpretation

What do the results indicate

clearly?

What is the significance of

the results?

What have you found?

What questions might we

raise?

Explain what you know with

certainty based on your
results .

Find logical explanations

for problems in the data.

7. CONCLUSION
Conclusion can be very short .Be sure to go back
and reread your objective before writing your
conclusion. This section should be concise and to
the point.
Your conclusion should be tied to the objective.
Was the objective for the experiment met?
State whether or not you achieved your objective.

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Computer Solutions

COMPUTER SOLUTION
A simple problem may require only brief
hand calculations or the use of
engineering calculator.
If the complexity of the solutions is high
or the amount of data or number of cases
to be processed is large, other methods
should be considered.

USE COMPUTER SOFTWARE IN

ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS

Spreadsheet
Math Calculation Packages
Programming Languages
Flowcharting
Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Spreadsheet
Example software :EXCEL, Lotus 123 and Quattro Pro.

Handling large quantities of data and in allowing

repetitive calculation to be done in relative ease.
Allows to store original data, computed results
and charts in electronic form that can be easily
changed at a later date if new or corrected data
become available.

Math Calculation Packages

Example Software :Maple, MathCAD, Mathematica, Matlab.
Ability to perform complex mathematical
computations (algebra, calculus, differential
equation)

Programming Languages
Example :FORTRAN, C++,Visual Basic, MATLAB
Prepare solution to certain problems
It is effective to program a solution if the
solution is a unique application or if the solution
is to be used repetitively without need for
changing the programming code.

Flowcharting

Logic diagram to describe each step that the

program must perform to arrive at the
solution.
A popular logic tool used for showing an
algorithm in graphics form.
Programmer prepares flowchart before
coding.

Purpose of Flowcharting
An aid in developing the logic of a
program.
Verification that all possible conditions
have been considered in a program.
Provides means of communication with
others about the program.
A guide in coding the program.
Documentation for the program.

Flowcharting
Most common flowchart symbols are:
Start / End

Input/Output

Processes
Choices

Three general structures:

Sequential structure
Selection structure
Repetitive structure

Flow Arrow

Example of Flowchart:
Sequential Structure

Example of Flowchart:
Selection Structure

Example of Flowchart:
Repetition Structure

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Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Example : Solidworks, AutoCAD, Catia
solid 2D or 3D modelling, analysis
used to produce computer animation
for special effects in movies,
advertising and technical manuals
benefits :- save time for analysis

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