GE3151 Problem Solving and Python Programming Previous Year Question Papers - Anna University

UNIT 1

Theory

• Explain steps in problem solving methodology.
• What is an algorithm? Write characteristics of a good algorithm.
• Define flowchart. Explain standard symbols with diagram.
• Compare algorithm vs flowchart.
• Explain top-down approach with example.

Programs / Problem Solving

• Write algorithm & flowchart for: Finding largest of three numbers, Factorial of a number, Sum of n numbers.
• Solve Tower of Hanoi problem (logic + steps).
• Trace given algorithm and find output.

UNIT 2

Theory

• Explain data types in Python.
• Define operators and explain types (arithmetic, relational, logical).
• Explain operator precedence and associativity.
• What is type casting?
• Explain input and output functions in Python.

Programs

• Write program for: Arithmetic operations using input, Swap two numbers (with & without temp), Simple interest / area calculations.
• Evaluate given expressions based on precedence.
• Predict output of Python expressions.

UNIT 3 (VERY IMPORTANT – Mixed Theory + Coding)

Theory

• Explain conditional statements (if, if-else, elif) with syntax.
• Explain nested if statement with example.
• Define iterative statements. Explain: for loop, while loop.
• Differentiate for vs while loop.
• Explain break, continue, pass statements.
• What is an infinite loop?

Programs

• Write program to: Find largest of 3 numbers using if-else, Check even/odd / prime number, Generate multiplication table, Find sum of digits, Reverse a number.
• Loop-based programs: Factorial using loop, Fibonacci series, Pattern printing.
• Predict output for loop + condition based code.

UNIT 4 (VERY HIGH WEIGHTAGE)

Theory

• Explain list in Python and its characteristics.
• Explain list functions: append(), insert(), remove(), pop(), sort().
• Compare list vs tuple vs dictionary.
• Explain dictionary and its operations.
• Explain tuple properties and uses.

Programs

• Write program to: Perform list operations (add, delete, sort), Find sum / max / min in list, Sort list in ascending/descending.
• Dictionary programs: Store and display student data, Count frequency of elements.
• Programs using tuple.
• Predict output of list/dictionary operations.

UNIT 5

Theory

• Define exception handling.
• Explain try, except, finally blocks.
• Types of errors in Python.
• Explain file handling concepts.
• List different file opening modes.

Programs

• Write program using: try-except for division error, multiple exception handling.
• File programs: Read and write file, Count words / lines in file, Append data to file.
• Predict output of exception handling code.

PART C (COMPULSORY – VERY IMPORTANT)

Case study → Write: Algorithm, Python program, Output OR Write a complete program combining: Condition + loop + list/dictionary + file handling.