Quiz: Problem Decomposition

1. Why does 'write my proposal' fail as an AI prompt while breaking it into parts succeeds?

AI can only handle short prompts A vague prompt gives AI no constraints, so it fills gaps with generic patterns. Decomposing into context, audience, problem, sections, and tone gives AI specific instructions for each piece AI doesn't understand the word 'proposal' Shorter prompts are always better

2. How does India's Mars Orbiter mission connect to working with AI on a budget?

India used AI to build the orbiter Both require constraint-driven design — ISRO succeeded by identifying the hardest constraints first and designing around them, just as free-tier AI users must prioritise what matters most within token limits Both are about space exploration They are not connected

3. What is the tangram principle of AI prompting?

Use exactly seven words Place the biggest constraint first — just as tangram solvers position the largest piece before fitting smaller ones, effective prompts establish the primary constraint before adding detail Make every prompt colourful Rotate your approach randomly until something works

Check Your Understanding

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