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What Is Problem Solving?

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9 views3 pages

What Is Problem Solving?

Uploaded by

harshiyanas m
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Problem-Solving Strategies

What is Problem Solving?

Problem-solving is essentially our way of finding solutions to the challenges we face. These
challenges, or 'problems,' can be as simple as deciding what to eat for lunch or as complex as
debugging a piece of code. The process of solving a problem often involves identifying the
issue, brainstorming possible solutions, and then applying the best strategy to overcome it.

What Are Problem-Solving Strategies?

A problem-solving strategy is essentially a plan of action to find a solution. There are several
strategies you can use, each with its own method and application. Below are some of the most
common problem-solving strategies:

Problem-Solving Strategies:

1. Trial and Error


2. Heuristics
3. Means-Ends Analysis
4. Backtracking

Trial and Error

Trial and error is one of the simplest and most intuitive problem-solving strategies. It
involves trying multiple solutions until the problem is resolved. If one approach fails, you
move on to the next until you find a solution that works.

Example:
Suppose you’re trying to fix a broken lamp. You might start by replacing the bulb, and if that
doesn’t work, you might check the plug or the fuse. You keep trying different things until the
lamp starts working again. This strategy is simple but can be time-consuming.

Heuristics

Heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision-making and problem-
solving. They are useful when a quick solution is needed, when the problem is complex, or
when full information is unavailable. While heuristics can lead to errors, they are often
effective in everyday situations.

Guess and Check Strategy


The Guess and Check strategy involves making an educated guess, checking if it solves the
problem, and refining the guess based on the outcome. This method is particularly useful
when the problem doesn’t have an obvious solution, and you can try different possibilities
until you find the correct one.

How Guess and Check Works:

1. Make an Initial Guess: Start by guessing a possible solution based on what you
know.
2. Check the Guess: Determine if your guess solves the problem.
3. Refine the Guess: If the guess is incorrect, use the information you gained from
checking to make a better guess.
4. Repeat: Continue guessing, checking, and refining until you find the correct solution.

Example Problem:
Find the number that, when added to 15, gives 32.

 First Guess: You guess that the number is 20.


 Check: 15 + 20 = 35. This is too high.
 Refine the Guess: Since 35 is too high, you lower your guess to 17.
 Check: 15 + 17 = 32. This is correct!

The Guess and Check strategy is effective for problems where you have multiple possible
solutions and need to test them. While it can be time-consuming, this method allows for
gradual refinement and can lead to successful outcomes, especially in situations where other
methods aren’t straightforward or available.

Working Backwards (Backtracking)

Working backwards is a problem-solving strategy where you start with the desired outcome
and work your way back to the current state. This strategy is particularly useful when the end
goal is clear, but the steps to achieve it are not.

Example Problem:
Think of a number, double it, then subtract 10. You are left with 52. What was the original
number?

Solution:

 52 + 10 = 62
 62 ÷ 2 = 31
The original number was 31.

Another Example Problem:


Jissy is 21 years older than Pooja, and Anamika is half Pooja’s age. Parthiv is 3 years
younger than Anamika. If Parthiv is 2 years old, how old is Jissy?

Solution:
 Age of Parthiv = 2 years
 Age of Anamika = 2 + 3 = 5 years
 Age of Pooja = 2 × 5 = 10 years
 Age of Jissy = 21 + 10 = 31 years

Means-Ends Analysis (MEA) in Problem-Solving

Means-Ends Analysis (MEA) is a problem-solving strategy that involves breaking down a


problem into smaller, more manageable sub-problems (or "ends") and then addressing each
one systematically. The process involves identifying the current state, the goal state, and then
determining the "means" to reduce the difference between the two.

How Means-Ends Analysis Works:

1. Identify the Goal: Clearly define what the end goal or desired outcome is.
2. Analyze the Current State: Understand where you currently stand in relation to the
goal.
3. Determine the Difference: Identify the gap or differences between the current state
and the goal.
4. Formulate Sub-Goals: Break down the problem into smaller sub-goals that will help
you reduce the difference.
5. Apply Means to Achieve Sub-Goals: Determine and apply the steps or "means" to
achieve each sub-goal.
6. Repeat as Necessary: Continue the process until the final goal is achieved.

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