Problem Solving with Python

Real problem-solving means combining everything above: variables, conditions, loops, functions, and data structures, applied to a task that actually matters. Start by breaking the problem into small steps, then write one function per step.

• Read the requirement carefully before writing any code.
• List the inputs you have and the output you need.
• Write pseudocode (plain-English steps) before real code for anything non-trivial.
• Test with small, simple data first, then with edge cases (empty list, zero, negative numbers).

💡 Practical Skill: This is exactly how a small business or NGO's first internal tool gets built — one working script that saves hours of manual spreadsheet work every week.

inventory = {"exercise books": 120, "pens": 45, "chalk boxes": 8}reorder_threshold = 10 def check_stock(inventory, threshold):    low_stock = []    for item, quantity in inventory.items():        if quantity < threshold:            low_stock.append(item)    return low_stock items_to_reorder = check_stock(inventory, reorder_threshold) if items_to_reorder:    print("Reorder needed for:", ", ".join(items_to_reorder))else:    print("All stock levels are healthy.")