Canadian Computing Competition
(Last modified Tuesday March 09, 2010)

This provides ALL past Stage 1 CCC problems, solutions (using Holt Software Associates' Turing and Ready: Java) and data files (both input and output). All of these are of course UNOFFICIAL.  The Official website is CCC. All problem solutions were written by Chris Robart of Milliken Mills High School., except where indicated:

PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL SOLUTIONS TO S5 UNTIL AFTER I POST MY SOLUTION.

Thank you.   (2010)

 

The following people have contributed solutions (thank you!):
(AJ) Amlesh Jayakumar of Waterloo Collegiate Institute (2008 S5: 2009 S4, S5)
(AL) Anton Likhtarov of Burnaby North S.S. (2005 S5)
(AV) Aaron Voelker of Bell High School. (2007 S3: 2000 S4: 1999 P5)
(BB) Brian Bi of Woburn Collegiate Institute (2009 S5)
(DG) Daniel Galperin of Waterloo Collegiate Institute (2009 S5)
(HT) Hubert Tong of Queens University (2008 S4: 2001 S5)
(JJ) Jason Jackson of Aurora High School (2006 S3, S5: 2005 J5)
(KL) Konstantin Lopyrev of the University of Waterloo. (2008 S3, S4, S5: 2007 J5, S5)
(ML) Matthew Lai of  Steveston-London Secondary School. (2008 S5: 2007 S4)
(RC) Robin Cheng of Pinetree Secondary (2005: S5)
(RH) Rich Hong of St. George's School, Vancouver (2006 S5)
(RP) Richard Peng of Vaughan Road Academy (2004 S4: 2001 S4: 2000 S5) 
(SH) Sean Henderson of the University of Toronto (2005 S5)
(VS) Vassili Skarine of Northview Heights S. S. (2003 S4, S5: 2002 S4)
(WHL) Wen-Hao Lue of Bayview Glen Private School.(2007 J5: 2009 S4)

Please email me if you find any errors, or have easier-to-understand solutions. Thanks.

Rating key (this is for just for fun, but does give some sense a problem's difficulty.)

* an average grade 11 student should get this
** an average grade 12 student should get this
*** a good grade 12 student MIGHT get this
**** the best grade 12 student MIGHT get this if given enough time
***** the teacher will get this after many days, or maybe never :-)

 

 Links and Resources

Books (pdf)

  1. Problems on Algorithms 2nd Edition, July 2002 by Ian Parberry and William Gasarch
  2. Foundations of Computer Science    Lawrence Paulson
  3. "Algorithms"  Course Materials  by Jeff Erickson
  4. CMSC 420: Data Structures (Spring 2001)    Dave Mount
  5. CMSC 451: Design and Analysis of Computer Algorithms     David M. Mount
  6. The Java Language Specification    James Gosling, Bill Joy and Guy Steele
  7. Sorting and Searching Algorithms: A Cookbook    Thomas Niemann
  8. Art of Programming Contest   Ahmed Shamsul Arefin
  9. How to Think Like a Computer Scientist     Allen B. Downey
  10. Algorithms  S. Dasgupta, C.H. Papadimitrou and U.V. Vazirani

Websites

  1. The Wiki of the Senior Computer Team at TJHSST
  2. The Lectures of TJHSST's Senior Computer Team
  3. The Algorithmist
  4. Data Structures and Algorithms with Object-Oriented Design Patterns in Java by Bruno R. Preiss
  5. Woburn C.I. Programming Enrichment Group (PEG)'s Wiki

Please email me if you have other favorites.

 

PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL SOLUTIONS TO S5 UNTIL AFTER I POST MY SOLUTION.

This will take me a while to complete.  Please be patient with me. :-)

Thank you.

2010 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
Junior Problems        
J1: What is n, Daddy? if's or a calculation * 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
J2: Up and Down loops and ifs ** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J3: Punchy loop with ifs * 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J4: Global Warming arrays and matching *** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J5: Knight Hop 2D array and simple BFS *** 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Senior Problems        
S1: Computer Purchase calculations and ifs ** 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
S2: Huffman Encoding arrays and string handling ** 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
S3: Firehose arrays and binary searching ***** 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
S4: Animal Farm 2D arrays, graph and Prim's algorithm ***** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S5: Nutrient Tree     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

 

2009 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
Junior Problems        
J1: ISBN simple arithmetic * 1 2 3 1 2 3
J2: Old Fishin' Hole nested for loops * 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J3: Good Times calculations and if's ** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J4: Signage string handling, arrays ** 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
J5: Degrees of Separation graph theory: 2D arrays **** 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Senior Problems        
S1: Cool numbers
    Cubes and powers approach
    Power of 6 method (by MANY people)		 tricky loops and calculation *** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S2: The Lights Going On and Off array processing *** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S3: Degrees of Separation graph theory: 2D arrays **** 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
S4: Ship and Shop
     Recursion (in a loop?)
     Dijkstra's Algorithm (By AJ and WHL)		 graph theory **** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S5: Wireless
     Straight forward
     Difference Array (by BB, AJ and DG)		 2D array processing ***** 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6

 

2008 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
Junior Problems        
J1 Body mass Index simple calculation * 1 2 3 1 2 3
J2 Do the Shuffle simple string handling * 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J3 GPS Text Entry ifs and calculations ** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J4 From Prefix to Postfix recursion *** 1 1
J5 Nukit indirect recursion
(see S5 for a DP approach)		 *** 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Senior Problems        
S1 It's Cold Here simple "find smallest" algorithm * 1 2 3 1 2 3
S2 Pennies in the Ring simple geometry problem ** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S3 Maze
    Recursive DFS approach
    A better BFS approach (by KL)		 It's a 2D problem for sure
 - recursion (Depth First Search)
 - Breadth First Search		 *** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S4 Twenty-four
    Brute force
    Recursion, stacks and RPN (By KL anf HT)		 nested loops and 2d arrays **** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S5 Nukit
    Recursive approach
    DP approach (by KL, ML and AJ)		 indirect recursion,  or DP **** 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

 

2007 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
Junior Problems        
J1 Who is in the middle? simple decisions * 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J2 I Speak TXTMSG simple decisions with a loop * 1 1
J3 Deal or No Deal Calculator simple 1D array processing * 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J4 Anagram Checker string processing ** 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
J5 Keep on Truckin'
  Dynamic Programming approach
  Dynamic Programming V2 (by KL)
  Recursive approach (by WHL)
dynamic programming or
easier DP or
recursion (easiest)		 *** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Senior Problems        
S1 Federal Voting Age simple decision * 1 2 3 1 2 3
S2 Boxes arrays, records and sorting *** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S3 Friends (by AV) arrays and more arrays :-) *** 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
S4 Water park
   Linked List Approach
   Recursive Approach (by ML)		 linked lists and dynamic programming
or easier recursion		 **** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S5 Bowling for Numbers (by KL) 2D Dynamic Programming ***** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5

 

2006 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
Junior Problems        
J1 Canadian Calorie Counting simple decisions * 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J2 Roll the Dice loops and counting * 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6
J3 Cell-Phone Messaging strings and decisions * 1 1
J4 Tough Being a Teen array handling ** 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
J5 CCC Othello 2D array handling ** 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Senior Problems        
S1 Maternity basic string handling * 1 2 3 1 2 3
S2 Cipher Texts
S2 Cipher Texts v2		 string handling
(V2 - inferring the 27th from 26 given
requires a more complex approach)		 ** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S3 Tin Can Telephone
S3 Tin Can Telephone (Vec) (by JJ)		 geometry calculations
(Vector approach)		 *** 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
S4 Groups 2D array (matrix) manipulation *** 1 2 3 1 2 3
S5 Origin of Life (by CR, JJ, RH)
S5 Origin Of Life (V2) (by JJ)		 2D arrays, queues and complex algorithm
(find all Edens approach)		 **** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5

 

2005 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
Junior Problems        
J1 Cell Sell arithmetic, decision structures * 1 2 3 1 2 3
J2 RSA Numbers arithmetic with nested structures * 1 2 3 1 2 3
J3 Returning Home simple array and string processing * 1 2 3 1 2 3
J4 Cross Spiral moving around a 2D array *** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J5 Bananas
J5 Bananas (non-recursive) (by JJ)		 indirect recursion or simple iteration
(no recursion needed)		 *** 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Senior Problems        
S1 Snow Calls basic string handling * 1 1
S2 Mouse Move basic structures * 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S3 Quantum Operations 2D array (matrix) manipulation ** 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
S4 Pyramid Message Scheme tree height / 1D array manipulation *** 1  1 
S5 Pinball Ranking
Very simple but slow - Counting (by RC)
Slow- Insertion sort
Fast - Binary Tree (by AL)
Fast -Merge Sort (by SH)		 sorting exercise
(using insertion sort,
a binary search tree
or merge sort)		 *** 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 

2004 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
Junior Problems        
J1 Squares reals and integers * 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J2 Terms of Office simple arithmetic (loops and  mod) * 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J3 Smile with Similes nesting loops * 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J4 Simple Encryption strings and character manipulation ** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J5 Fractals geometry, array processing   *** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Senior Problems        
S1 Fix decisions and built-in string functions ** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S2 Top Yodeller simple 1D array processing ** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S3 Spreadsheet simple 2D arrays and String processing *** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S4 Space Turtle (by RP) ugly geometry problem **** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S5 Super Plumber 2D arrays & dynamic programming **** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
 

 

2003 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
J1 Trident character graphics *    
J2 Perfect Picture simple arithmetic (div and mod) *    
J3/S1 Snakes and Ladders simple counting, decisions *    
J4/S2 Poetry simple strings, decisions ** 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
J5/S3 Floor Plan 2D array, recursion, largest of 1D array *** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S4 Substrings (by VS) strings *** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S5 Trucking (by VS) graph theory, Prim's algorithm **** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
 

 

2002 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
J1 0123456789 character graphics *    
J2 AmeriCanadian simple strings *    
J3/S1 Student Council's Breakfast nested loops *    
J4/S2 Fraction Action GCD algorithm *    
J5/S3 Blindfold 1D and 2D array ** 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
S4 Bridge Crossing (by VS) dynamic programming ***** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S5 Bouncing Ball geometry calculations **** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
 

 

2001 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
J1 Dressing Up character graphics *    
J2 Mod Inverse simple arithmetic (div and mod) *    
J3/S1 Keeping Score simple strings, decisions *    
J4/S2 Spirals loops, decisions **    
J5/S3 Strategic Bombing graph theory, Warshall's algorithm **** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S4 Cookies (by RP) geometry calculations **** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S5 Post's Correspondence
   Method 1
   Method 2 (by HT)		 strings, complex recursion **** 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
 

 

2000 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
J1 Calendar loops, decisions *    
J2 9966 simple arithmetic (div and mod), decisions *    
J3/S1 Slot machines loops, decisions *    
J4/S2 Babbling Brooks 1D array (insertion/deletion shifting) ** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
J5/S3 Surfing strings, graph theory, Warshall's algorithm **** 1 2 1 2
S4 Golf
Dynamic programming approach
Breadth First Approach (by AV)		 dynamic programming or
breadth first Tree Search		 **** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
S5 Sheep and Coyotes
Brute force approach or
using Perpendicular Bisectors (by RP)		 geometry calculations, 1D arrays **** 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
 

 

1999 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
P1 Card Game 1D array, decisions * 1 1
P2 Year 2000 Ugly string processing *** 1 1
P3 Divided Fractals character graphics, recursion *** 1 1
P4 A Knightly Pursuit 2D array, dynamic programming ***** 1 1
P5 Letter Arithmetic
My Brute force Approach
An Improved Method (by AV) 		exhaustive search (combinations/ permutations), string,
1D array, complex algorithm		 ***** 1 1
 

 

1998 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
P1 Censor strings, loops, decisions * 1 1
P2 Cross Number simple arithmetic (div and mod) *   1 2
P3 Mars rover decisions ** 1 1
P4 Lottery string, complex algorithm *** 1 1
P5 Mountain Passage 2D arrays, dynamic programming ***** 1 1
 

 

1997 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
P1 Sentences nested loops * 1 1
P2 Nasty Numbers complex arithmetic (div and mod) ** 1 1
P3 Double Knockout Competition simple arithmetic (div and mod) ** 1 1
P4 Dynamic Dictionary Coding string, 1D array ** 1 1
P5 Long Division string, 1D array, complex algorithm **** 1 1
 

 

1996 Problems Topics Involved Rating Input Files Output files
P1 Perfect Numbers simple arithmetic (div and mod) * 1 1
P2 Divisibility by 11 string, 1D array, complex algorithm *** 1 1
P3 Pattern Generator complex string algorithm *** 1 1
P4 Roman Numerals decisions ** 1 1
P5 Max Distance 1D array *** 1 1