What is the exam pattern and passing mark for GTU Programming for Problem Solving (3110003)?

The GTU theory examination carries 70 total marks with a duration of 2.5 Hours. Minimum passing criteria is 23 marks (33%). The paper consists of 5 main questions with official marking breakdown and internal choices.

Where can I download the official GTU 3110003 Summer 2025 question paper PDF?

The official GTU question paper PDF is linked directly from Gujarat Technological University's official examination archive. You can view the full paper online or download the original file.

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Gujarat Technological UniversitySummer 2025 examination

GTU 3110003 Programming for Problem Solving (PPS) Summer 2025 Solved Paper & Solutions

B.E. · Common Engineering · Semesters 1 and 2 · Subject code 3110003

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Total: 70 marks
To pass: 23 marks (33%)
Duration: 2.5 Hours 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Questions: 5 with internal choice

10 of 25 questions on this paper were also asked in other years. 2 more are types of question GTU sets again with new data. Each is marked below with the years it appeared.See all 27 repeated 3110003 questions, most asked first

Q.1

14 Marks

(a)

3 marks

Write an algorithm to find factorial of given number by user input.

(b)

4 marks

Draw a flowchart to check whether the entered number is prime or not.

Flowchart to Check for a Prime Number

A prime number is a natural number greater than 1 that has no positive divisors other than 1 and itself.

ALGORITHM

([ START ])
                           |
                           v
                     [/ Input N /]
                           |
                           v
                    < Is N <= 1? > ----- YES ----> [/ Print "Not Prime" /] ---> ([ STOP ])
                           |
                          NO
                           v
                     [ i = 2 ]
                           |
            +------------> v
            |       < Is i * i <= N? > --- NO ----> [/ Print "Prime" /] -------> ([ STOP ])
            |              |
            |             YES
            |              v
            |       < Does i divide N? >
            |       <   (N % i == 0)   >
            |              |
            |             YES --------------------> [/ Print "Not Prime" /] ---> ([ STOP ])
            |              |
            |             NO
            |              v
            +--------- [ i = i + 1 ]

Optimization: Testing up to $\sqrt{N}$ ( $i \times i \le N$ ) reduces time complexity from $O(N)$ to $O(\sqrt{N})$ .

(c)

7 marks

List and explain different data types available in C.

Data Types in C

Data types specify the type, size, and operations associated with variables. C provides four major categories:

CODE

DATA TYPES IN C
                                 |
         +-----------------------+-----------------------+
         |                       |                       |
     PRIMARY / BASIC         DERIVED                USER-DEFINED
  (int, char, float, void) (Arrays, Pointers)     (struct, union, enum)

1. Primary (Fundamental) Data Types:

Data Type	Description	Size (32/64-bit)	Format Specifier	Typical Range
`char`	Single ASCII character	1 byte	`%c`	$-128$ to $+127$
`unsigned char`	Unsigned character	1 byte	`%c` / `%u`	$0$ to $255$
`short int`	Short integer	2 bytes	`%hd`	$-32,768$ to $+32,767$
`int`	Standard integer	4 bytes	`%d`	$-2.14 \times 10^9$ to $+2.14 \times 10^9$
`unsigned int`	Unsigned integer	4 bytes	`%u`	$0$ to $4.29 \times 10^9$
`float`	Single-precision floating point	4 bytes	`%f`	$1.2 \times 10^{-38}$ to $3.4 \times 10^{38}$ ( $6$ decimals)
`double`	Double-precision floating point	8 bytes	`%lf`	$2.3 \times 10^{-308}$ to $1.7 \times 10^{308}$ ( $15$ decimals)
`void`	Empty data type (no value)	0 bytes	—	Function returns, generic pointers (`void*`)

2. Derived Data Types:

Arrays: Homogeneous collection of consecutive memory elements (e.g., int arr[10];).
Pointers: Variables storing memory addresses of other variables (e.g., int *ptr;).
Functions: Modular blocks executing reusable operations.

3. User-Defined Data Types:

struct: Heterogeneous grouping of distinct variables under one name.
union: Grouping sharing the same memory location.
enum: User-defined list of named integer constants.
typedef: Alias creator for existing types.

Q.2

14 Marks

(a)

3 marks

Demonstrate the working of ternary operator and sizeof operator with an example.

Ternary and Sizeof Operators in C

Conditional / Ternary Operator (? :):

A compact, three-operand alternative to simple if-else statements:

\mathbf{\text{Condition ? Expression1 : Expression2;}}

Example:

int a = 10, b = 20;
     int max = (a > b) ? a : b; // Evaluates to 20

sizeof Operator:

A compile-time unary operator that returns the memory storage size of a variable or data type in bytes.
Example:

int x = 5;
     printf("Size of int: %zu bytes\n", sizeof(x));        // Prints: 4 bytes
     printf("Size of double: %zu bytes\n", sizeof(double)); // Prints: 8 bytes

(b)

4 marksAsked in 3 of 7 papers

Differentiate between while and do..while loop.

Also asked in Winter 2025 Q2b, Winter 2024 Q3a

Comparison: `while` vs `do..while` Loop

Parameter	`while` Loop	`do..while` Loop
Type	Entry-Controlled Loop (pre-test).	Exit-Controlled Loop (post-test).
Condition Check	Condition is tested before executing the loop body.	Condition is tested after executing the loop body.
Minimum Iterations	0 times (if condition is initially false, body never executes).	At least 1 time (executes body once before checking condition).
Syntax	`while (condition) { body; }`	`do { body; } while (condition);`
Semicolon	No semicolon after `while(condition)`.	Semicolon `;` is mandatory after `while(condition);`.
Common Use	Reading input until EOF or sentinel.	Menu-driven interactive programs.

(c)

7 marksAsked in 3 of 7 papers

Write a C program to print following pattern:

For e.g. input = 5 1 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5

Also asked in Winter 2025 Q2c OR, Summer 2023 Q4b OR

C Program to Print Number Pattern

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int n, i, j;
    printf("Enter number of rows (e.g. 5): ");
    scanf("%d", &n);

    for (i = 1; i <= n; i++) {
        for (j = 1; j <= i; j++) {
            printf("%d ", i);
        }
        printf("\n");
    }
    return 0;
}

Sample Output (for $n = 5$ ):

ALGORITHM

Logic: Outer loop variable i runs from $1$ to $n$ controlling the row number and the digit printed. Inner loop variable j runs from $1$ to i, printing i exactly i times per line.

(c)

7 marksSame type asked in 5 of 7 papers

Write a C program to print following pattern:

For e.g. input = 5

*
**
***
****

Also asked in Winter 2024 Q2c, Summer 2024 Q3c OR, Winter 2023 Q3c, Summer 2023 Q4b

C Program to Print Right-Angled Star Pattern

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int n, i, j;
    printf("Enter number of rows (e.g. 5): ");
    scanf("%d", &n);

    for (i = 1; i <= n; i++) {
        for (j = 1; j <= i; j++) {
            printf("*");
        }
        printf("\n");
    }
    return 0;
}

Sample Output (for $n = 5$ ):

ALGORITHM

*
**
***
****
*****

Logic: Outer loop runs $i = 1 \dots n$ for rows. Inner loop prints $i$ asterisks on row $i$ .

Q.3

14 Marks

(a)

3 marksAsked in 4 of 7 papers

Explain type casting with example

Also asked in Summer 2026 Q2b, Winter 2024 Q3b, Summer 2023 Q3a OR

Type Casting in C

Type casting converts a variable from one data type into another:

Implicit Type Casting (Type Promotion / Coercion):

Automatically performed by the compiler to prevent data loss when operands of differing types appear in an expression (lower data type promoted to higher).
Example: int a = 5; float b = 2.5; float c = a + b; $\implies a$ is promoted to float ( $5.0 + 2.5 = 7.5$ ).

Explicit Type Casting:

Manually invoked by the programmer using the cast operator: (type_name) expression.
Example:

int sum = 17, count = 5;
     float avg = (float) sum / count; // Produces 3.4 instead of integer 3

(b)

4 marksAsked in 2 of 7 papers

Differentiate between break and continue.

Also asked in Winter 2023 Q3a OR

Comparison: `break` vs `continue`

Parameter	`break` Statement	`continue` Statement
Action	Terminates the loop immediately and transfers control to the statement following the loop.	Skips remaining code in current iteration and jumps directly to the loop's next iteration.
Applicability	Can be used inside both loops and `switch-case` blocks.	Can be used only inside loops (`for`, `while`, `do..while`).
Loop Execution	Aborts all remaining iterations permanently.	Continues executing future loop iterations.
Example	`for(i=1; i<=5; i++) { if(i==3) break; }` $\to$ Prints `1, 2`.	`for(i=1; i<=5; i++) { if(i==3) continue; }` $\to$ Prints `1, 2, 4, 5`.

(c)

7 marks

Write a program to find out the maximum number from integer array of 5 elements.

C Program to Find Maximum from 5-Element Array

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int arr[5];
    int i, max;

    printf("Enter 5 integer elements:\n");
    for (i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
        scanf("%d", &arr[i]);
    }

    // Assume first element is maximum
    max = arr[0];

    // Compare with remaining elements
    for (i = 1; i < 5; i++) {
        if (arr[i] > max) {
            max = arr[i];
        }
    }

    printf("The maximum number in the array is: %d\n", max);
    return 0;
}

Time Complexity: $O(n)$ where $n = 5$ (single linear pass).
Space Complexity: $O(1)$ auxiliary storage.

(a)

3 marksAsked in 3 of 7 papers

Explain else…if ladder with example.

Also asked in Winter 2023 Q3c OR, Summer 2023 Q3a

`else...if` Ladder in C

The else...if ladder evaluates a sequence of mutually exclusive conditions from top to bottom. As soon as one condition evaluates to true, its code block executes and the rest of the ladder is skipped.

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int marks = 85;
    if (marks >= 80) {
        printf("Grade: A\n");
    } else if (marks >= 60) {
        printf("Grade: B\n");
    } else if (marks >= 40) {
        printf("Grade: C\n");
    } else {
        printf("Grade: Fail\n");
    }
    return 0;
}

If none of the conditions evaluate to true, the trailing else block executes.

(b)

4 marks

Explain getch(), putch(), gets(), puts() .

Console I/O Functions in C

getch():

Reads a single character directly from keyboard without echoing it to the screen and without requiring the user to press Enter.

putch(char c):

Writes a single character c directly to the console screen.

gets(char *str):

Reads an entire string including spaces from standard input until a newline (\n) is encountered.

puts(const char *str):

Outputs a string followed automatically by a newline character (\n) to stdout.

Example:

char name[50];
  puts("Enter name:");
  gets(name);
  puts("Hello,");
  puts(name);

(c)

7 marksAsked in 5 of 7 papers

What is function? Differentiate between call by value and call by reference with example.

Also asked in Winter 2025 Q5a OR, Winter 2024 Q3a OR, Winter 2023 Q4b, Summer 2023 Q3c OR

Functions in C and Parameter Passing Mechanisms

A Function is a self-contained, reusable block of code designed to perform a specific task, promoting code modularity and maintainability.

Comparison: Call by Value vs Call by Reference

Parameter	Call by Value	Call by Reference
What is Passed	A copy of the actual argument's value.	The memory address (pointer) of the actual argument.
Original Variable Impact	Modifications inside function do NOT affect the original caller variable.	Modifications inside function directly alter the original caller variable.
Memory Allocation	Callee allocates separate memory for formal parameters.	No extra memory for values; uses pointers to refer to caller's memory.

Code Demonstration (Swapping Two Variables):

#include <stdio.h>

// 1. Call by Value (Does NOT swap original values)
void swapByValue(int x, int y) {
    int temp = x;
    x = y;
    y = temp;
}

// 2. Call by Reference (Swaps original values via pointers)
void swapByReference(int *x, int *y) {
    int temp = *x;
    *x = *y;
    *y = temp;
}

int main() {
    int a = 10, b = 20;

    swapByValue(a, b);
    printf("After Call by Value: a = %d, b = %d\n", a, b); // a=10, b=20 (Unchanged)

    swapByReference(&a, &b);
    printf("After Call by Reference: a = %d, b = %d\n", a, b); // a=20, b=10 (Swapped!)
    return 0;
}

Q.4

14 Marks

(a)

3 marksAsked in 2 of 7 papers

Explain nested structure with example

Also asked in Winter 2025 Q5b OR

Nested Structures in C

A nested structure occurs when a structure is declared as a member field inside another structure:

#include <stdio.h>

struct Date {
    int day, month, year;
};

struct Student {
    int roll_no;
    char name[30];
    struct Date dob; // Nested Date structure
};

int main() {
    struct Student s = {101, "Rahul", {15, 8, 2004}};
    printf("Student: %s, DOB: %02d/%02d/%d\n", 
           s.name, s.dob.day, s.dob.month, s.dob.year);
    return 0;
}

Nested members are accessed using chained dot operators: s.dob.day.

(b)

4 marks

Explain following string handling functions:

1). strcat( )

2). strlen ( )

String Handling Functions in C ()

strlen(const char *str):

Calculates the length of a string by counting characters up to, but not including, the null terminator ('\0').
Example:

char s[] = "UnfoldPrep";
     int len = strlen(s); // len = 10

strcat(char dest, const char src):

Concatenates (appends) a copy of the source string src onto the end of the destination string dest, overwriting dest's original null terminator and adding a new '\0'.
Example:

char str1[30] = "Hello ";
     char str2[] = "World";
     strcat(str1, str2); // str1 now contains "Hello World"

(c)

7 marksSame type asked in 2 of 7 papers

Write a C program to check weather given integer number is palindrome or not?

Also asked in Summer 2023 Q5c OR

C Program to Check Palindrome Number

A number is a palindrome if it remains identical when its digits are reversed (e.g., $12321$ ).

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int n, original, reversed = 0, remainder;

    printf("Enter an integer: ");
    scanf("%d", &n);

    original = n;

    // Reverse the integer
    while (n > 0) {
        remainder = n % 10;
        reversed = reversed * 10 + remainder;
        n /= 10;
    }

    // Check if original and reversed numbers match
    if (original == reversed) {
        printf("%d is a Palindrome number.\n", original);
    } else {
        printf("%d is NOT a Palindrome number.\n", original);
    }

    return 0;
}

Time Complexity: $O(\log_{10} n)$ (runs proportional to number of digits).
Space Complexity: $O(1)$ .

(a)

3 marks

State the use of Union in ‘C’ with example

`union` in C

A union is a user-defined data type where all member variables share the same memory location. The total memory allocated equals the size of its largest member:

#include <stdio.h>

union Data {
    int i;
    float f;
    char ch;
};

int main() {
    union Data d;
    d.i = 10;
    printf("d.i = %d\n", d.i); // Prints 10

    d.f = 220.5;
    printf("d.f = %.1f\n", d.f); // Prints 220.5 (overwrites d.i)
    printf("Size of union: %zu bytes\n", sizeof(d)); // Max(4, 4, 1) = 4 bytes
    return 0;
}

Primary Use: Memory conservation in embedded systems where mutually exclusive data types are needed.

(b)

4 marksAsked in 4 of 7 papers

Briefly explain memory management functions.

Also asked in Summer 2026 Q5b OR, Summer 2024 Q5b OR, Winter 2023 Q5b OR

(c)

7 marks

Write a C program to count total number of vowel in given string. ( for example input string =”hello” , output=2)

C Program to Count Vowels in a String

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    char str[100];
    int vowels = 0, i = 0;

    printf("Enter a string: ");
    fgets(str, sizeof(str), stdin);

    while (str[i] != '\0') {
        char ch = str[i];
        // Check for both lowercase and uppercase vowels
        if (ch == 'a' || ch == 'e' || ch == 'i' || ch == 'o' || ch == 'u' ||
            ch == 'A' || ch == 'E' || ch == 'I' || ch == 'O' || ch == 'U') {
            vowels++;
        }
        i++;
    }

    printf("Total number of vowels: %d\n", vowels);
    return 0;
}

Sample Execution:

ALGORITHM

Enter a string: hello
Total number of vowels: 2

Q.5

14 Marks

(a)

3 marks

Demonstrate the use of void * with example

`void*` (Generic Pointer) in C

A void* pointer is a generic pointer that can store the memory address of any data type without type-mismatch warnings. It must be explicitly typecast before dereferencing:

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int a = 42;
    float b = 3.14;
    void *ptr; // Generic pointer

    ptr = &a;
    printf("Integer: %d\n", *(int*)ptr); // Cast to int* before dereferencing

    ptr = &b;
    printf("Float: %.2f\n", *(float*)ptr); // Cast to float* before dereferencing
    return 0;
}

Standard in library functions like malloc() and qsort().

(b)

4 marks

Demonstrate the use of fopen( ) and fprintf( ) function of file handling

File Handling with `fopen()` and `fprintf()`

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    FILE *fp;
    fp = fopen("output.txt", "w"); // Open file in write mode

    if (fp == NULL) {
        printf("Error opening file!\n");
        return 1;
    }

    // Write formatted output into file
    fprintf(fp, "Name: %s, Score: %d\n", "Amit", 95);
    fprintf(fp, "Status: %s\n", "Passed");

    fclose(fp); // Flush buffer and close file
    printf("Data written successfully to output.txt\n");
    return 0;
}

fopen() returns a FILE* handle, while fprintf() directs formatted text into the file stream.

(c)

7 marksAsked in 2 of 7 papers

Write a c program to count total number of characters, words and line for any text file using file handling function

Also asked in Winter 2025 Q5c OR

C Program to Count Characters, Words, and Lines in a Text File

#include <stdio.h>
#include <ctype.h>

int main() {
    FILE *fp;
    char filename[100];
    char ch;
    int chars = 0, words = 0, lines = 0;
    int in_word = 0;

    printf("Enter filename to inspect: ");
    scanf("%s", filename);

    fp = fopen(filename, "r");
    if (fp == NULL) {
        printf("Cannot open file %s\n", filename);
        return 1;
    }

    while ((ch = fgetc(fp)) != EOF) {
        chars++;

        // Track lines
        if (ch == '\n') {
            lines++;
        }

        // Track words
        if (isspace(ch)) {
            in_word = 0;
        } else if (in_word == 0) {
            in_word = 1;
            words++;
        }
    }

    fclose(fp);

    printf("\n--- File Statistics ---\n");
    printf("Total Characters: %d\n", chars);
    printf("Total Words:      %d\n", words);
    printf("Total Lines:      %d\n", lines);

    return 0;
}

(a)

3 marks

Demonstrate the pointer arithmetic with example.

Pointer Arithmetic in C

When performing arithmetic on a pointer, operations advance or retreat by multiples of sizeof(type):

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int arr[3] = {10, 20, 30};
    int *ptr = arr; // Points to arr[0] (e.g., address 1000)

    printf("Value at ptr: %d\n", *ptr); // 10

    ptr++; // Increments address by 1 * sizeof(int) = 4 bytes (address 1004)
    printf("Value at ptr++: %d\n", *ptr); // 20

    ptr = ptr + 1; // Advances to arr[2]
    printf("Value at ptr + 1: %d\n", *ptr); // 30
    return 0;
}

(b)

4 marks

show the use of fclose( ) and fscanf( ) function of file handling

File Handling with `fscanf()` and `fclose()`

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    FILE *fp = fopen("data.txt", "r");
    char name[30];
    int age;

    if (fp == NULL) {
        printf("File not found!\n");
        return 1;
    }

    // Read formatted data from file
    while (fscanf(fp, "%s %d", name, &age) == 2) {
        printf("Read -> Name: %s, Age: %d\n", name, age);
    }

    // Mandatory: Release file stream and OS descriptor
    fclose(fp);
    return 0;
}

(c)

7 marksAsked in 4 of 7 papers

Write a c program to copy content of one text file to another text file

Also asked in Summer 2026 Q5c OR, Winter 2025 Q5c, Winter 2023 Q5c OR

C Program to Copy One File to Another

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    FILE *src, *dest;
    char sourceFile[100], destFile[100];
    char ch;

    printf("Enter source filename: ");
    scanf("%s", sourceFile);
    printf("Enter destination filename: ");
    scanf("%s", destFile);

    // Open source for reading
    src = fopen(sourceFile, "r");
    if (src == NULL) {
        printf("Error: Cannot open source file %s\n", sourceFile);
        return 1;
    }

    // Open destination for writing
    dest = fopen(destFile, "w");
    if (dest == NULL) {
        printf("Error: Cannot open destination file %s\n", destFile);
        fclose(src);
        return 1;
    }

    // Copy character by character
    while ((ch = fgetc(src)) != EOF) {
        fputc(ch, dest);
    }

    printf("File copied successfully from %s to %s!\n", sourceFile, destFile);

    fclose(src);
    fclose(dest);
    return 0;
}

Other Semester 1 subjects

BE Common

3110001

Chemistry

3110002

English

3110004

Basic Civil Engineering

3110005

Basic Electrical Engineering

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About this paper

Official Gujarat Technological University (GTU) examination paper and step-by-step solutions for Programming for Problem Solving (PPS) (Summer 2025, B.E. · Common Engineering, Sem 1). Features complete 70-mark regular & remedial examination pattern, official marking distribution across all 5 questions, and direct 1-click official PDF download.

Transcribed for student exam preparation from Gujarat Technological University official examination archives. Questions, syllabus guidelines, and curriculum marking schemes remain the intellectual property of Gujarat Technological University.

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GTU 3110003 Programming for Problem Solving (PPS) Summer 2025 Solved Paper & Solutions

Algorithm to Find Factorial of a Number

Flowchart to Check for a Prime Number

Data Types in C

1. Primary (Fundamental) Data Types:

2. Derived Data Types:

3. User-Defined Data Types:

Ternary and Sizeof Operators in C

Comparison: while vs do..while Loop

C Program to Print Number Pattern

Sample Output (for n=5n = 5n=5):

C Program to Print Right-Angled Star Pattern

Sample Output (for n=5n = 5n=5):

Type Casting in C

Comparison: break vs continue

C Program to Find Maximum from 5-Element Array

else...if Ladder in C

Console I/O Functions in C

Functions in C and Parameter Passing Mechanisms

Comparison: Call by Value vs Call by Reference

Code Demonstration (Swapping Two Variables):

Nested Structures in C

String Handling Functions in C ()

C Program to Check Palindrome Number

union in C

Dynamic Memory Management in C ()

C Program to Count Vowels in a String

Sample Execution:

void* (Generic Pointer) in C

File Handling with fopen() and fprintf()

C Program to Count Characters, Words, and Lines in a Text File

Pointer Arithmetic in C

File Handling with fscanf() and fclose()

C Program to Copy One File to Another

More Programming for Problem Solving papers

Other Semester 1 subjects

Preparing with friends?

About this paper

Comparison: `while` vs `do..while` Loop

Sample Output (for $n = 5$ ):

Sample Output (for $n = 5$ ):

Comparison: `break` vs `continue`

`else...if` Ladder in C

`union` in C

`void*` (Generic Pointer) in C

File Handling with `fopen()` and `fprintf()`

File Handling with `fscanf()` and `fclose()`