AbstractionCreating a model

Once we have recognised patterns in our problems, we use abstraction to gather the general characteristics and to filter out of the details we do not need in order to solve our problem.

Part ofComputer ScienceComputational thinking

Creating a model

A model is a general idea of the problem we are trying to solve.

For example, a model cat would be any cat. Not a specific cat with a long tail and short fur - the model represents all cats. From our model of cats, we can learn what any cat looks like, using the patterns all cats share.

Patterns and similarities can be found between different types of cat. All cats have tails, eyes and fur but the characteristics of each can vary from cat to cat.

Similarly, when baking a cake, a model cake wouldn’t be a specific cake, like a sponge cake or a fruit cake. Instead, the model would represent all cakes. From this model we can learn how to bake any cake, using the patterns that apply to all cakes.

Once we have a model of our problem, we can then design an to solve it.