Problem Solving: How to Find a Solution Path

(12/11/2014 Thursday)

Speakers:   Dr. Wenjie He and Ms. Yifei Xu
Time:   12/11/2014 Thursday 4:00PM
Location:   ESH 304 Conference Room

Abstract:   When working on some challenging problems, sometimes we do not have an idea where to start. In this talk, we will discuss some general ideas, principles, and methods to guide us to find a solution path. We will use the following two interesting and challenging problems, one for computer science and one for mathematics, to illustrate the problem solving procedure.

This presentation will take about 40 minutes. Before this presentation, Ms. Yifei Xu will use 15 minutes to introduce some valuable resources for female students. (See the abstract of her presentation below)

  1. (An interview problem from Google)

    Given 2n + 3 points in a plane, with no 3 points collinear and no 4 points on a circle, design an algorithm that will find a circle determined by 3 of the given points to separate the remaining 2n points with n points inside it, and n points outside it.
  2. (A challenging problem from Terry Tao, a Fields Medalist)

    Three farmers were selling chickens at the local market. One farmer had 10 chickens to sell, another had 16 chickens to sell, and the last had 26 chickens to sell. In order not to complete with each other, they agreed to all sell their chickens at the same price. But by lunchtime, they decided that sales were not going so well, and they all decided to lower their prices to the same lower price point. By the end of the day, they had sold all their chickens. It turned out that they all collected the same amount of money, $35, from the day's chicken sales. What was the price of the chickens before lunchtime and after lunchtime?

Ms. Yifei Xue's Presentation

Title:   GHC & Women in Computing

Abstract:   In this 15-minute presentation, I will introduce a wonderful STEM program for women called Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing (GHC), and will share my experience from attending the GHC 2014 conference. GHC is the largest annual gathering of women in computing. It provides a unique opportunity for women of all ages and from all over the world to connect and to share. I will discuss the types of events and lectures offered at the GHC and how they helped me learn about the latest development and hottest filed for new graduates in computing. I will also talk about how the many social events organized at the GHC helped my professional development by fostering new friendship and professional connections. Finally, I will discuss what I learned about financial assistance and scholarships offered by GHC and its sponsors and participant schools to support women’s participation, and will offer my thoughts about what may be done locally to increase participation and impact of women in computing.

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