CSC 165_Week #1_Intoduction, precision, quantifiers

Week #1

Topic: Introduction, precision, quantifiers

I had some problems understanding the four cases dealing with sets. I am new to programming in python, so at the beginning it was hard to comprehend how the code was working. I overcame the problem by using the Python Visualizer. I went over the code step by step, and I realized that Python was taking one by one each element of the set1 and comparing these elements to the elements in the set 2. Once I understood the code, it was easier to figure out the description of the functions q0, q1, q2 and q3.

1)  Understanding the problem

What is given? A code in Python. Specifically: return all ({x in s2 for x in s1}), return any({x in s2 for x in s1}), return not any({x in s2 for x in s1}), return not all({x in s2 for x in s1})

2)  Devising a plan

Is there something similar?

A similar example was given in class before introducing this problem. The relationship between mathematical sets and the way we write them in Python, as well as the meaning of all and any were explained.

Possible approaches:

1)    Try different sets such as A={1,3}, B={1,3}, C={1,5}, D={12,15}

2)    Use the Python Visualizer

3)    See which sets could prove to be true for each function. Then, create them. And finally, see the Patterns that these new sets may have.

3)  Carrying out the plan

I carried out plan 1 first. I somehow understood the logic of the problem, but I didn’t feel confident enough. Hence, I carried out plan 2, which proved to be very useful. At the end, I tried plan three as a way to reaffirm the knowledge.

4)  Looking back

After I understood the logic behind the problem, I went over the problem again to look for patterns that could help me to solve similar problems.