Break down complex problems systematically

Decompose problems, model abstractions, and reason algorithmically

Tackling novel algorithmic problems when no pre-built library fits.

• · Problem statement, constraints, examples

• · Problem decomposition, state machine model, pseudocode, correctness proof sketch

• · Read problem carefully
• · Identify patterns (dynamic prog, greedy, graph)

• · Greedy fails for weighted problems (use DP)
• · Off-by-one in loop bounds
• · Assuming sorted input without checking

• · Tibsfox, stable 2026-04-12
• · Teaches reduction, induction, invariant reasoning