Which term means looking at a problem to understand it?

• A. Decomposition
• B. Analysis
• C. Algorithm
• D. Pseudocode

Answer: (B)

Looking at a problem to understand it is analysis. Analysis means examining the information you have, identifying what the problem asks for, what data is available, what constraints apply, and how different pieces relate to one another. It’s about forming a clear picture of the goal before you start designing a solution, so you know what counts as success.

Decomposition focuses on breaking the problem into smaller parts to manage complexity, which comes after you’ve understood what needs to be solved. An algorithm is a precise sequence of steps intended to solve a problem, which you design after analyzing and planning. Pseudocode is a readable way to describe that algorithm, but it’s still a representation of the solution rather than the act of understanding the problem.