Logical reasoning in daily decisions in Intro to Computing - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Understanding Logical Conditions in Daily Choices

Imagine you decide whether to carry an umbrella based on the weather forecast. The rule is: "If it is raining or if the forecast predicts rain, then carry an umbrella." Which logical condition best represents this decision?

A Carry umbrella if raining OR forecast predicts rain

B Carry umbrella if raining AND forecast predicts rain

C Carry umbrella only if raining but not if forecast predicts rain

D Carry umbrella only if forecast predicts rain AND it is not raining

💡 Hint

Think about when you want to be prepared: either actual rain or a prediction of rain.

The decision uses an OR condition because carrying an umbrella is needed if either it is raining or rain is predicted. Using AND would require both conditions to be true, which is too restrictive.

❓ trace

intermediate

Tracing a Decision Flowchart for Morning Routine

Consider this flowchart for deciding whether to take a jacket:

1. Is it cold outside? (Yes/No)
2. If Yes, take a jacket.
3. If No, check if it might rain.
4. If it might rain, take a jacket.
5. If not, do not take a jacket.

If it is not cold but rain is predicted, what is the final decision?

A Take a jacket

B Take a raincoat instead of a jacket

C Decision cannot be made

D Do not take a jacket

💡 Hint

Follow the flowchart steps carefully for the given conditions.

Since it is not cold, the flow moves to check rain prediction. Because rain is predicted, the decision is to take a jacket.

❓ Comparison

advanced

Comparing Logical Operators in Decision Making

You want to decide if you should go for a walk. The conditions are: "Go for a walk if it is sunny AND you have free time." Which of the following statements correctly compares the AND and OR operators in this context?

A AND requires only one condition true; OR requires both conditions true

B AND requires both conditions true; OR requires only one condition true

C AND and OR both require both conditions true

D AND and OR both require only one condition true

💡 Hint

Recall the difference between AND and OR in logic.

AND means both conditions must be true to proceed; OR means either condition being true is enough.

❓ identification

advanced

Identifying Logical Errors in a Daily Decision Scenario

John decides: "If I am hungry or if it is lunchtime, I will eat." He writes the condition as: "If hungry AND lunchtime, then eat." What is the logical error in John's condition?

A He used OR instead of AND, making the condition too strict

B There is no error; the condition is correct

C He should use NOT operator instead of AND

D He used AND instead of OR, making the condition too strict

💡 Hint

Think about when John wants to eat: if hungry or if it is lunchtime.

Using AND means John will eat only if both hungry and lunchtime are true, but he wants to eat if either is true, so OR is correct.

🚀 Application

expert

Applying Logical Reasoning to Plan a Weekend Activity

You plan your weekend activity based on these rules:

• If it is sunny and you have no work, go hiking.
• If it is rainy or you have work, stay home and read.
• If it is sunny but you have work, go for a short walk.

Given it is sunny and you have work, what activity should you choose?

A Go hiking

B Stay home and read

C Go for a short walk

D No activity planned

💡 Hint

Check each rule carefully and see which applies to the given conditions.

Since it is sunny and you have work, the third rule applies: go for a short walk.