← IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

Examples of expert systems

The expert knowledge that expert systems supply in areas like medical diagnosis, fault finding, mineral prospecting and financial advice, so the user does not need to be an expert.

Part of: IGCSE Computer Science 0478 — 6.3 Artificial Intelligence — Module 10

Understanding Examples of expert systems in IGCSE Computer Science Paper 1

What it does: A fault finding expert system holds a mechanic's expert knowledge, so the user does not need to be an expert mechanic. Expert systems give specialist knowledge to users who are not experts, so they can get useful advice.

Common mistakes: A medical diagnosis expert system must get the symptoms from the user, who is not an expert. Line 1 should be INPUT symptom, not OUTPUT symptom. An IF statement in the rule base needs THEN after the condition. Line 2 should be IF noise = "grinding" THEN.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 662–678) and word search (Modules 652–678).

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Learning

Duo

Which task is a typical use of an expert system?

Diagnosing an illness from a patient's symptomsAdding up the scores in a school quiz

Matches

An expert system is used because the user already has the specialist knowledge

↓

This is the wrong way round. Expert systems are used because the user is NOT an expert.

Applying

Meanings

Term

specialist knowledge

Meaning

The expert knowledge that expert systems supply in areas like medical diagnosis, fault finding, mineral prospecting and financial advice, so the user does not need to be an expert.

Practice

IF symptom = "fever" AND rash = TRUE THEN

Testing

Gaps

IF fever = TRUE rash = TRUE THEN

Check Answer

Spots

1OUTPUT symptom

2IF symptom = "fever" THEN

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Quick Questions

1. Which task is a typical use of an expert system?

A. Adding up the scores in a school quiz

B. Diagnosing an illness from a patient's symptoms ✓

Medical diagnosis needs specialist knowledge. The expert system uses stored medical rules to suggest what may be wrong.

2. A garage uses software to find why a car will not start. The software asks questions and suggests a faulty part. What is it?

A. An expert system for fault finding ✓

B. A word processor

Fault finding in cars and machines is a classic use. The system applies a mechanic's expert rules to the answers given.

3. Which statement about mineral prospecting is correct?

A. An expert system digs for the minerals itself

B. An expert system can use a geologist's knowledge to suggest where minerals may be found ✓

The expert system only gives advice and conclusions. It supplies geological knowledge, but it does not do physical work.

4. Which person does an expert system for financial advice help most?

A. A customer who is not a finance expert ✓

B. Only a qualified financial adviser who already knows everything

Expert systems give specialist knowledge to users who are not experts, so they can get useful advice.

5. Which is a good reason to use an expert system for legal advice?

A. It gives access to specialist legal knowledge without needing a lawyer for simple questions ✓

B. It replaces the need for any laws to exist

The system holds expert legal knowledge and rules. The user does not need to know the law to get an answer.

Match the Pairs

Medical diagnosis expert system → Asks a doctor or nurse about symptoms, then suggests likely illnesses using a doctor's stored knowledge

Mineral prospecting expert system → Takes data about rocks and land and suggests where valuable minerals or oil are likely to be found

Fault finding in a machine needs specialist knowledge, so an expert system asks about the problem and suggests a repair → Car fault finding expert system

Financial or legal advice needs specialist knowledge, so an expert system asks about the customer and gives advice → Financial advice expert system

An expert system is used because the user already has the specialist knowledge → This is the wrong way round. Expert systems are used because the user is NOT an expert.

A medical diagnosis expert system learns new illnesses by itself and changes its own rules → This describes machine learning, not an expert system. An expert system uses a fixed knowledge base and rules written from experts.

Key Term

specialist knowledge

The expert knowledge that expert systems supply in areas like medical diagnosis, fault finding, mineral prospecting and financial advice, so the user does not need to be an expert.

Fill in the Blanks

1. IF fever = TRUE AND rash = TRUE THEN OUTPUT "Possible measles" ENDIF

Hint: Type the logical operator that needs both symptoms to be true in this medical diagnosis rule.

2. IF battery = "flat" THEN OUTPUT "Charge or replace the battery" ENDIF

Hint: Type the keyword that introduces the action to take when the fault condition is true.

3. IF rock = "quartz" AND gold = TRUE THEN OUTPUT "Mine this area" ENDIF

Hint: Type the command that shows the system's mineral prospecting advice to the user.

4. IF savings > 1000 THEN OUTPUT "Consider investing" ENDIF

Hint: Type the comparison operator meaning greater than, used in this financial advice rule.

5. OUTPUT "Does the engine make a noise?" INPUT answer

Hint: Type the command that lets a user who is not an expert enter their answer to the system's question.

Spot the Error

Question 1

A OUTPUT symptom

B IF symptom = "fever" THEN

C OUTPUT "Possible flu"

D ENDIF

Line A — A medical diagnosis expert system must get the symptoms from the user, who is not an expert. Line 1 should be INPUT symptom, not OUTPUT symptom.

Question 2

A INPUT noise

B IF noise = "grinding"

C OUTPUT "Check brake pads"

D ENDIF

Line B — An IF statement in the rule base needs THEN after the condition. Line 2 should be IF noise = "grinding" THEN.

Question 3

A INPUT rockType

B IF rockType ← "granite" THEN

C OUTPUT "Gold is likely"

D ELSE

E OUTPUT "Gold is unlikely"

F ENDIF

Line B — The arrow ← assigns a value, but an IF needs a comparison. Line 2 should use = to compare: IF rockType = "granite" THEN.

Question 4

A INPUT savings

B INPUT debt

C IF savings > debt THEN

D OUTPUT Consider investing

E ENDIF

Line D — Text output by the financial advice system must be in quotation marks. Line 4 should be OUTPUT "Consider investing".

Question 5

A INPUT temp

B INPUT oil

C IF temp > 90 OR oil < 20 THEN

D INPUT "Check the engine"

E ENDIF

Line D — The fault-finding system must show its advice to the user, so it uses OUTPUT. INPUT is for reading data. Line 4 should be OUTPUT "Check the engine".

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