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Problem Solving Skills

The document outlines a structured approach to problem solving, emphasizing the importance of understanding the problem, exploring options, planning, executing, and assessing solutions. It highlights common misconceptions about problem solving and provides a six-step strategy to enhance problem-solving skills. Additionally, it details stages such as evaluating, managing, decision-making, resolving, and examining results to improve overall effectiveness in tackling complex problems.

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Vkaka Atanasoft
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2 views5 pages

Problem Solving Skills

The document outlines a structured approach to problem solving, emphasizing the importance of understanding the problem, exploring options, planning, executing, and assessing solutions. It highlights common misconceptions about problem solving and provides a six-step strategy to enhance problem-solving skills. Additionally, it details stages such as evaluating, managing, decision-making, resolving, and examining results to improve overall effectiveness in tackling complex problems.

Uploaded by

Vkaka Atanasoft
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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 Interpret and evaluate the solution.

Check your work and compare your answer with your


estimate.
 Look back and decide what was done.
 Finally, check to see if you've answered the question asked.

If you learn to use this strategy effectively, you will find it a valuable tool to use for
solving new and complex problems.
What exactly is a "problem"?
Although you may think that you are an expert problem solver (as evident by your success in
high school), the questions in this course will be different than the exercises to which you are
accustomed. In exercise solving, you recall and apply routines that you have previously used to
solve questions, but in problem solving you are usually unsure about how to proceed as well as
about the connection between the given data and the goal. The approach that is used to solve
exercises cannot be applied to problem solving. Traditional thoughts about exercise solving has
created many general misconceptions about problem solving such as:
No trial and error attempts or playing around are allowed.

 There is only one right way to do a problem.


 You can not change a problem to make it easier.
 Problem solving is a step by step process that always proceeds in a linear and logical
manner.

So how do we become better problem solvers?


The first step in improving one's problem solving abilities is to become aware of the way we
solve problems. One of the simplest ways of improving your problem solving skills is to apply
the following six steps in your problem solving approach. It is important to realize that these
stages are not linear and that expert problem solvers usually bounce back and forth between
stages.

1. ENGAGE:

 Read the question aloud.


 Mentally prepare yourself to solve the problem and overcome the initial anxiety and
panic you may be experiencing. Believe in your ability to solve the problem or in other
words "psyche up".
 Learn to gain confidence in your abilities to solve questions by applying your problem
solving techniques frequently.

2. DEFINE:

 Reread the problem again. Do not worry about spending a lot of time on rereading.
Research has shown that successful problem solvers spend two to three times longer
reading an initial problem statement than unsuccessful problem solvers.
 Look for clue words. A simple way to do this is to highlight the key phrases and THE
KEY PHRASE directly on the question sheet. Cross out unimportant and irrelevant
information. It may be helpful to divide the problem statement into smaller parts such as:
a) The stated objective, goal, decision to make or feature.
b) The situation, condition or context.
c) The constraints: on the inputs, on the solution and on the process we can use.
d) The criteria by which we will judge an acceptable answer.
 Analyze the given information and determine what needs to be solved (i.e. understand the
problem).
 Visualize the problem (by constructing a drawing, table or graph).
 Interpret the problem in light of your own knowledge and experience.
 List the known and unknown variables.
 Use your own style to understand the question. The above are some "optional" activities
that you may want perform during this stage. People do not go through this stage the
same way, some prefer to transform the problem into pictures while others prefer
equations because they think better in those terms. Use your preferences from the above
list. Remember that the main goal of this section is to classify the given information into
different categories: the goal, the givens, the constraints and the criteria.

3. EXPLORE:

 In this stage you play around with the problem statement, background subject knowledge
and experience. Try to discover the real problem without committing to a solution
method.
 Identify and make reasonable assumptions within the specified constraints.
 Create mental images and identify the main goal (put the problem statement in the
context of your own experiences and knowledge).
 Focus on discovering the mathematical process and determining the unit measure for
expressing the answer.
 Estimate a ballpark answer prior to proceeding to actually solving the problem.
 Create a series of options or hypothesis of how to solve the problem elaborated more in
the plan stage.
 Ask questions such as "what is the most important information? What am I trying to do?
What does the question mean in the grand scheme of things? What is the simplest way of
looking at the problem?"
 Remember to focus on what you NEED to learn rather than what you want to learn, and
what issues NEED to be. You must learn to identify issues and define problems carefully.
Unsuccessful problem solvers spend most of their time doing while successful problem
solvers spend most of their time thinking of what to do. Therefore be very careful and
meticulous about defining your goals.

4. PLAN:

 Decide on a strategy and map out steps to be taken.


 Determine a method to monitor your progress.

5. CARRY OUT THE PLAN:

 Follow the steps and be careful with all your order of magnitude calculations and signs.

6. ASSESS:

 Interpret and evaluate the solution. Check your work and compare your answer with your
estimate.
 Look back and decide what was done.
 Finally, check to see if you've answered the question asked.

If you learn to use this strategy effectively, you will find it a valuable tool to use for
solving new and complex problems.

There are several stages to solving a problem:

1) Evaluating the problem

 Clarifying the nature of a problem


 Formulating questions
 Gathering information systematically
 Collating and organising data
 Condensing and summarising information
 Defining the desired objective

2) Managing the problem

 Using the information gathered effectively


 Breaking down a problem into smaller, more
manageable, parts
 Using techniques such as brainstorming and lateral
thinking to consider options
 Analysing these options in greater depth
 Identifying steps that can be taken to achieve the
objective

3) Decision-making

 deciding between the possible options for what


action to take
 deciding on further information to be gathered before
taking action
 deciding on resources (time, funding, staff etc) to be
allocated to this problem
 See our page on decision-making skills

4) Resolving the problem

 Implementing action
 Providing information to other stakeholders;
delegating tasks
 Reviewing progress

5) Examining the results

 Monitoring the outcome of the action taken


 Reviewing the problem and problem-solving
process to avoid similar situations in future

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