Question 3 of 6

When do you know that you have broken down a problem sufficiently? Choose 1 answer from the below

when it is impossible to break down the problem further

when solutions begin to become obvious

when the problem divisions become symmetric

when the problem parts match the number of team members

The correct answer is: when solutions begin to become obvious.

The answer is: when solutions begin to become obvious.

The preferred answer is "when solutions begin to become obvious".

When you break down a problem, you aim to decompose it into smaller, more manageable parts. This process is known as problem decomposition. The ultimate goal of problem decomposition is to simplify complex problems and make them easier to solve.

To determine when you have broken down a problem sufficiently, there are a few indicators to consider:

1. When it is impossible to break down the problem further: By breaking down a problem into smaller parts, you eventually reach a point where further decomposition is no longer possible or meaningful. This could be an indication that you have broken down the problem sufficiently.

2. When solutions begin to become obvious: As you break down a problem, you should start to identify potential solutions for each of the smaller parts. If these solutions become more apparent and obvious as you continue to decompose the problem, it suggests that you have broken it down sufficiently.

3. When the problem divisions become symmetric: Symmetry in problem divisions indicates that you have divided the problem into equal, balanced parts. However, while symmetry can be helpful in distributing work among team members, it may not always indicate that you have broken down the problem sufficiently. It's important to consider the other indicators as well.

4. When the problem parts match the number of team members: If you are working in a team, dividing the problem into parts that align with the number of team members can be beneficial for collaboration and distribution of work. However, similar to symmetry, this alone may not be enough to determine if the problem is sufficiently broken down.

In conclusion, while all the options listed have some validity, the most accurate indicator is when solutions begin to become obvious, which suggests that you have broken down the problem sufficiently.