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.
STEPS:
▶ Problem solving is the act of defining a problem;
▶ Determining the cause of the problem;
▶ Identifying, prioritizing, and selecting alternatives for a solution;
▶ And then implementing a solution.

Problem-solving strategies defined

 A problem-solving strategy is a plan of action used to find a solution. Different strategies

have different action plans associated with them.
 For example, a well-known strategy is trial and error. In terms of your broken printer, you could
try checking the ink levels, and if that doesn’t work, you could check to make sure the paper tray
isn’t jammed. Or maybe the printer isn’t actually connected to your laptop.
 When using trial and error, you would continue to try different solutions until you solved your
problem. Although trial and error is not typically one of the most time- efficient strategies, it is a
commonly used one.
 Each problem-solving strategy includes multiple steps to provide you with helpful guidelines on
how to resolve a business problem or industry challenge.
 Effective problem-solving requires you to identify the problem, select the right process to
approach it and follow a plan tailored to the specific issue you are trying to solve.

Importance of understanding multiple problem-solving strategies

Different problems often require different approaches, and being familiar with multiple strategies allows
for greater flexibility and adaptability. For example, some problems might be best solved through a
systematic trial and error method, while others might benefit from a more analytical approach like
means-ends analysis. By knowing several strategies, one can quickly switch tactics when one method
does not work, increasing the chances of finding a successful solution.

Benefits of Multiple Problem-Solving Strategies

▶ Adaptability: Different problems require different approaches which allows for flexibility and
adaptability in problem solving.

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▶ Efficiency: Some strategies are more effective for specific types of problems. They can save time and
resources.

▶ Improved Outcomes: Diverse strategies offer multiple perspectives and potential solutions, increasing
the likelihood of finding optimal solutions.

▶ Skill Development: Exposure to various strategies enhances cognitive skills, critical thinking, and
creativity.

Classes of Problems:

The problem can be classified into two categories: well-defined and ill-defined problems.

Well-defined Problems
A well-defined problem is one where the initial state, goal state, and the methods to reach the
goal state are clearly defined. An example of a well-defined problem would be a chess game
where you have specific steps to reach the solution. For many abstract problems it is possible to
find an algorithmic solution. We call all those problems well-defined that can be properly
formalised, which comes along with the following properties:

Example:

The game of chess

Initial state is defined by the players lined up on the chess-board for the opening move. The final goal
state is defined as checkmate. The operators are the legal moves of the game that help achieve the sub-
goals and eventually the final goal of checkmate.

The Hanoi Tower Problem

The player is given a set of rules to start with-the discs of different sizes are stacked on the first of three
pegs. The problem is well defined- the discs have to be moved to the third peg, while doing so, only the
top disc can be moved to the other peg, with the restrictions that only one disc can be moved at one time
and no larger disc can be placed on a smaller disc.

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ILL-defined problem

An ill-defined problem, on the other hand, lacks clear specification of the initial state, the goal
state, or the methods for achieving the goal. Ill defined problems are not well defined. They
don't have any clear goals, solution paths or expected solution. An example of ill-defined
problem of the kind “Please paint a beautiful picture” may be impossible. Still this is a problem
most people would be able to access in one way or the other, even if the result may be totally
different from person to person.

Problem-Solving Strategies

An individual uses various kinds of methods or strategies to solve problems. Some strategies
may take a longer time but definitely gives an answer. On the other hand some strategies take
less time but do not always guarantee success. 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 mostcommon problem-solving strategies:

Problem-Solving Strategies:

1. Trial and Error

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

1) 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.

Steps:
 Identify the Problem
 Start by clearly defining the issue.
 Try a Solution
 Attempt a possible solution
 Evaluate the Outcome
 Check if the solution worked.
 Repeat
If the solution failed, try a different one.

Example:

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 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.

2) 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.

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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 18.
 Check: 15 + 18 = 33,very close.
 Refine the Guess: Since 33 is very close; 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.

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 3) 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. Solve the problem in reverse order.

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

Solution:
 Start with 52
 Add 10; 52 + 10 = 62
 Then divide by 2 to find the original number; 62 ÷ 2 = 31
The original number was 31.

Check the answer is correct or not:

31*2=62
62-10=52
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

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 4) 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.

The means-ends analysis process can be applied recursively for a problem. It is a strategy to
control search in problem-solving. Following are the main Steps which describes the working
of MEA technique for solving a problem.

1. First, evaluate the difference between Initial State and final State.
2. Select the various operators which can be applied for each difference.
3. Apply the operator at each difference, which reduces the difference between the current
state and goal state.

EXAMPLE 1:
Let's take an example where we know the initial state and goal state as given below. In this
problem, we need to get the goal state by finding differences between the initial state and goal
state and applying operators.

1. Evaluating the initial state: In the first step, we will evaluate the initial state and will
compare the initial and Goal state to find the differences between both states.

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2. Applying Delete operator: As we can check the first difference is that in goal state there is
no dot symbol which is present in the initial state, so, first we will apply the Delete operator to
remove this dot.

3. Applying Move Operator: After applying the Delete operator, the new state occurs which
we will again compare with goal state. After comparing these states, there is another difference
that is the square is outside the circle, so, we will apply the Move Operator.

4. Applying Expand Operator: Now a new state is generated in the third step, and we will
compare this state with the goal state. After comparing the states there is still one difference
which is the size of the square, so, we will apply Expand operator, and finally, it will generate
the goal state.

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EXAMPLE 2: Tower of Hanoi Puzzle

Problem Description
Given a stack of n disks arranged from largest on the bottom to smallest on top placed on a rod A,
together with two empty rods B and C. The objective is to move the n disks from rod A to rod C using
rod B.
• Only one disk can be moved at a time.

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 • No disk can be placed on top of a smaller disk. In other words, moves are allowed only if
we place smaller disks on top of larger disks.
• Each move consists of taking the top disk from one of the rods and placing it on top of
another rod i.e. a disk can only be moved if it is the topmost disk on a rod.

Example: The solution for 3 disks takes 7 steps:

With 3 disks, the Tower of Hanoi puzzle can be solved in 7 moves. The minimum number of moves
n
required to solve a Tower of Hanoi puzzle is given by the formula 2 - 1, where n is the number of
disks.

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