CHAPTER 3

Engineering Solution
MEC 400 –
INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING
AND PROBLEM SOLVING
 Objectives
◦ Understand general concepts in analysis of engineering problems
◦ Understand the format of problem organization and presentation
◦ Use of software in problem presentation

 Engineering analysis definition:

◦ Use of mathematical and scientific principles to verify the
performance of alternative solutions or systems.
◦ Analysis normally involve three areas:
 Application of the laws of nature
 Application of the laws of economic
 Application of common sense
 Engineering method-analysis procedure
◦ Consist of 6 basic steps
1. Recognize and understand the problem.
2. Accumulate data and verify accuracy
3. Select the appropriate theory or principle
4. Make necessary assumption
5. Solve the problem
6. Verify and check result

1. Recognize and understand the problem.

 Must be able to recognize and define problem precisely.
 If problem not well define, considerable effort must be expended at the
beginning in studying the problem, eliminating things that are not
important and focus on root problem.
2. Accumulate data and verify accuracy
 All physical facts eg: temperature, voltage etc must be ascertained.
 Deal only with items that can be verified.

3. Select the appropriate theory or principle

 Select appropriate theory that apply to solution of problem
 Understand and identify limitations or constraints that apply to
theory

4. Make necessary assumption(s)

 Certain assumptions can be made that do not significantly affect the
accuracy of solutions.

5. Solve the problem

6. Verify and check result

 Solutions must be checked to ensure mathematically correct and units
properly specified.
 Problem statement:
 State as concisely as possible the problem to be solved

 Find:
 State or list down in a proper order what to be determined/ found –
preferably in the form of statements as well as symbols.

 Data and Diagram:

 Draw a diagram with all pertinent dimensions, data and other information
with appropriate symbols, and etc.
 Data that cannot be placed in the diagram should be listed separately.

 Theory:
 Show the principles, laws, and equations needed to solve the problem. If
the theory must be developed, modified, or derived, it may be presented
here.
 Properly referenced your equations with completely defined variables
 Assumption:
 Explicitly list, in complete details, all simplifying assumptions
that have been made to realistically realize your solution to the problem

 Solution:
 Show completely all steps taken in obtaining the solution.
 Identify result and verify accuracy by clearly identifying (i.e. double
underline) the final answer. Assign proper units.

 Comment:
 Give general or brief comments to the solution or any specific remarks
that may help you and others developing an insight.
The solved problems are to be presented according to certain
standards or rules. This is to ensure that other people have no
difficulty in understanding the solutions. Presentation of solutions of
the problem is just as important as solving the problem itself.

 Guidelines (know what you write-write what you know)

• Use an engineering-problem paper. If not avail

• On the top heading of the paper, write full name, course number,
title of the problem, problem number(s), due date, and sheet
number per the total number in the set.

• Use a pencil (preferably H or 2H or HB) rather than a pen in writing

and drawing.

• Write with legible lettering and hard enough for easy

comprehension. Make sure that the spelling is correct.
•
• Work must be clear, easy to follow, and un-crowded. Continue line
after line. Avoid going back to blank space in the previous lines. It
may cause confusion and difficult to follow.

• Draw a horizontal straight line across the page before starting a new
problem. Do not start a new problem on the same page unless it can
be completed on that same page.

• Draw and label the necessary diagrams neatly. Use ruler to improve
the appearance of your work. However, often a freehand sketch is
sufficient.

• Employ proper symbols to represent a set of physical quantities,

dimensions, units, parameters, constants, etc. Whenever possible,
use universally accepted symbols and be consistent throughout
problem

• See examples
 Note that the below example serves as a general or standard guide in the engineering
problem solving only. There are some engineering problems which may not require
certain sections such as the data and diagrams, the assumption, and etc. These
depend on the nature of the problems itself.
 Calculator facilitates calculation especially when it involves repeated and
complex calculation. Programmable calculator and computer are employed
especially in computer graphics and integrated data base and other
voluminous calculation or operation. After acquiring basics and fundamental
in science and mathematics, with understanding an engineer may then use
these devices for speed and iterative work.