Chapter 1

The Nature of Problem Solving

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THE NATURE OF PROBLEM SOLVING

Introduction
Problems in the Real World
Critical and Creative Thinking
Classifications of Problems
Polyas Heuristics
Mathematical Modeling
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 A problem is an opportunity for improvement.

A problem is the difference between your current state
and your goal state.
A problem results from the recognition of a present
imperfect and the belief in the possibility of a better
future.

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 The importance of goals in solving a problem

The management of a problem in a way that
successfully meets the goals established for
treating it.

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Problem solving is a process by

which the learner discovers a
combination of previously learned
rules that he/she can apply to achieve
a solution. (Holroyd 1985)

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Two Basic Approaches to Problem Solving

stop it
the cause or source of the problem is attacked

mop it
the effects or symptoms of the problem are
attacked

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Stop It
Prevent It.
Eliminate It.
Reduce it.

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Mop It
Treat It.
Tolerate It.
Redirect It.

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General Guidelines for Problem Solving

Problem Exploration
State the Problem
State what the problem is
Restate the problem
State the problem more

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General Guidelines for Problem Solving

Clarify the Problem
Define the Key terms of the problem
Articulate the assumptions
Obtain needed information

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General Guidelines for Problem Solving

Explain the Problem
Discuss the problem with someone else
Look at the problem from different viewpoints
Ask a series of whys.

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General Guidelines for Problem Solving

Put the Problem in Context
What is the history of the problem?
What is the problem environment?
What are the constraints?

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General Guidelines for Problem Solving

Goal Establishment
Consider Ideal Goals
Establish Practical Goals

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General Guidelines for Problem Solving

Idea Generation
Read, research, think, ask questions, discuss
Use idea generation techniques
(brainstorming, forced relationships, random
stimulation, and so on)
Allow time to incubate during various
phases of idea generation
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General Guidelines for Problem Solving

Idea Selection
Evaluate the possibilities
Choose the solution(s)

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General Guidelines for Problem Solving

Implementation
Try the solution
Make adjustments

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General Guidelines for Problem Solving

Evaluation
Determine whether the solution worked
Remember that many solutions are better
described as partially successful or partially
unsuccessful, rather than as an either/or in a
success/failure division

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Problems in the Real World

Truth Problems
Counting and Enumeration Problems
Resource Allocation Problems
Decision Making Problems

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Critical thinking is the process to reflect on, assess and

judge the assumption underlying our own and others
ideas and efforts.

Creative thinking is the process we use to develop ideas

that unique, useful, and worthy of further elaboration.

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Critical Thinking Involves

Recognizing underlying assumptions.
Scrutinizing arguments.
Judging ideas.
Judging the rationality of these justifications by
comparing them to a range of varying
interpretations and prospective.
Providing positive as well as negative appraisal.

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The Six Types of Socratic Questions for

Critical Thinking
1. Questions for clarification:
Why do you say that?
How does this relate to our discussion?
What does this mean?
What is the nature of...?
What do we already know about...?

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The Six Types of Socratic Questions for

Critical Thinking
2. Questions that probe assumptions:
What could we assume instead?
How can you verify or disapprove that assumption?
Explain why...(Explain how...)
What Would happen if...?
Do you agree or disagree with this statement...?

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3. Questions that probe reasons and evidence:

What would be an example?
What is the nature of this?
Why is this happening?
How can I be sure?
Why is....happening?
What is....analogous to?
What do you think causes...? Why:?
What evidence is there to support your answer?
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The Six Types of Socratic Questions for

Critical Thinking
4. Questions about Viewpoints and Perspectives:
What would be an alternative?
Is there another way to look at it?
Explain why it is necessary-or beneficial?
Who benefits?
Why is it better?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of...?
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The Six Types of Socratic Questions for

Critical Thinking

What is the difference between... and...?

How are...and ...similar?
What is a counter argument for...?
What is a solution to the problem of...?
Compare... and... with regard to...
What is another way to look at...?

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5. Questions that probe implications and consequences:

What generalizations can you make?
What are the consequences of that assumption?
How could...be used to...?
What are the implications of...?
How does...affect...?
How does...tie in with what we learned before?
Why is... important?
What is the best... and why?
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The Six Types of Socratic Questions for

Critical Thinking

6. Questions about the question:

What was the point of this question?
Why do you think I asked this question/
What does...mean?
How does...apply to everyday life?

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Creative Thinkers
Consider rejecting standardized formats for problem solving.
Have an interest in a wide range of related and divergent
fields.
Take multiple perspectives on a problem.
Use trial-and-error methods in their experimentation.
Have a future orientation.
Have self-confidence and trust in their own judgment.

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Improving Your Creative Abilities

Keep track of your ideas at all times. Many

times ideas come at unexpected times. If
an idea is not written down within 24 hours
it will usually be forgotten

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Pose new questions to yourself every day.

An inquiring mind is a creatively active one
that enlarges its area of awareness.

Keep abreast of your field. Read the

magazines, trade journals, and other
literature in your field to make sure you
are not using yesterday's technology to
solve toady's problems.

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Engage in creative hobbies. Hobbies can also

help you relax. An active mind is necessary for
creative growth.

Have courage and self-confidence. Be a

paradigm pioneer. Assume that you can and
will indeed solve the problem Persist and have
the tenacity to overcome obstacles that block
the solution pathway.

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Learn to know and understand yourself.

Deepen your self-knowledge by learning your
real strengths, skills, weaknesses, dislike,
biases, expectations, fears and prejudices.

Learn about things outside your specialty. Use

cross-fertilization to bring ideas and concepts
from one field or specialty to another.

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Avoid rigid, set patterns of doing things.

Overcome biases and preconceived
notions by looking at the problem from a
fresh view point, always developing at
least two or more alternative solutions to
your problem.
Be open and receptive to ideas (yours and
others). New ideas are fragile; keep them from
breaking by seizing on the tentative, half
formed concepts and possibilities and
developing them.
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Be alert in your observations. Look for

similarities, differences, as well as unique
and distinguishing features in situations and
problems.

Adopt a risk taking attitude. Fear of failure is

the major impediment to generating solutions
which are risky (i.e., small chance of
succeeding) but would have a major impact if
they are successful. Outlining the ways you
could fail and how you would deal with these
failures will reduce this obstacle to creativity.
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Keep your sense of humor. You are more creative when

you are relaxed. Humor aids in putting your problems
(and yourself) in perspective. Many times it relieves
tension and makes you more relaxed.

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Classifications of Problems

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Closed Ended Problems are the type with only one right
answer. These are the same types of problems that are
usually found at the end of chapters in textbooks, and they
reinforce concepts learned in the corresponding chapter.

Open-ended problems are those which have many

solutions or no solution for the problem as defined.
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Steps in Solving ClosedEnded Problems

1. Write out the problem statement.

Include information on what you
are to solve, and consider why
you need to solve the problem.

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2. Make sure you are solving the

real problem as opposed to the
perceived problem.

3. Draw and label a sketch. Define

and name all variables and/or
symbols. Show numerical values
of variables if known.

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4. Identify and name

Relevant principles, theories and equations
Systems and subsystems
Dependent and independent variables
Known and unknown
Inputs and outputs
Necessary (missing) information

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5. List assumptions and approximations involved in solving

the problem. Question the assumptions and then state
which ones are the most reasonable for your purposes.

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6. Check to see if the problem is either under-specified or

over-specified. If it is under-specified, figure out how
to find the missing information. If over-specified, identify
the extra information that isn't needed.

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7. Relate problem to a similar problem

or experience (compare to an example
problem in lecture or in the book).

8. Develop/derive/integrate and/or
manipulate an equation or equations
from which the desired variable can
be determined.

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9. Substitute numerical values and

calculate the desired variable.
Check your units at each step in
the solution to find possible errors.

10. Examine and evaluate the answer to

see it makes sense. Is it reasonable,
considering the problem statement?
Does it consider safety and ethical
issues?
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Steps in Solving Open-Ended Problems

1. Write out the problem statement.

Include information on what you
are to solve, and consider why
you need to solve the problem.

2. Make sure you are solving the

real problem as opposed to the
perceived problem.

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3. Generate Solutions
a. Understand what conceptual
blocks can occur so that you will
be aware of them when they
surface. Perceptual, Emotional,
Cultural, Environmental,
Intellectual, Expressive

b. Brainstorm. Use Osborns checklist.

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Osborn's Checklist for Adding New Ideas

Adapt?.... How can This (product, idea, plan, etc.) be used
as is? What are other uses it could be adapted to?
Modify?.... Change the meaning, material, color, shape,
odor, etc.?
Magnify?.... Add new ingredient? Make
longer, stronger, thicker, higher, etc.?
Minify?.... Split up? Take something out?
Make lighter, lower, shorter, etc.?
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Substitute?..... Who else, where else or what else? Other

ingredient, material, or approach?
Rearrange?.... Interchange parts? Other patterns, layouts?
Transpose cause and effect? Change positives to
negatives? Reverse roles? Turn it backwards or upside
down? Sort?
Combine?.... Combine parts, units, ideas? Blend?
Compromise? Combine from different categories?

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Example: Imagine that you have been given the task of

designing safe playground equipment entirely out of old
cars. How wold you approach this problem?

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Adapt: Take the hood off and use it

as a toboggan in winter

Modify: Remove the engines and

side panels and make go-carts

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Magnify: Over inflate the inner tubes

from the tires and use them to create a
"romper room"/jumping pit.

Minify: Crush the cars into cubes and

allow the kids to climb on the blocks

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Substitute: Use the car's seats in swings

Rearrange: Turn the car upside down

and use it as a teeter-totter

Combine: Use the side panels or

roof to make a huge canopy or fort
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c. Analogy. State the problem, Generate

analogies, Solve the analogy, Transfer
the analogy to the solution.

d. Cross Fertilize. Draw analogies

from other disciplines.

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e. Futuring. Today's constraints (e.g.

computing speed, communications) may
be limiting the generation of creative
solutions. Think to the future when these
constraints may no longer exist. Remove
all possible constraints from the problem
statement and solution criteria.
f. Incubate. Take a break. Let your
subconscious work on the problem
while you do something else.
Sometimes all you need is a breather
to achieve that final breakthrough!
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4. Choose best alternative from the ideas generated.

a. Decision Making: Musts, Wants,
Adverse, Consequences
b. Planning: Potential Problem,
Consequences, Preventative
Action, Contingent Action
c. Evaluate: Does the solution satisfy all the
stated and implied criteria? Is the solution
safe to people and property? Is the
solution ethical?
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PROBLEM #2:
Trace a path from Point A to Point B.

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PROBLEM #3:

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Two Solutions to the Nine

Dot Problem

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PROBLEM #4: Determine whether the

problem is open-ended or closed ended
1. Who was the 16th US president?
2. Who is our greatest president?
3. What is the rated tensile strength of an E6011 electrode?
4. Which wood is the hardest?
5. Which wood is the hardest to work with?
6. How can a chair be re-designed to eliminate back ache?
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7. Would it be more cost effective to use a robotic welder,

or a human welder?
8. What is the greatest volume that can be produced by
cutting squares out of the corners, and folding a 10" x 12"
sheet of steel into a rectangular box with an open top?
9. What is the sum of the interior angles of a triangle?
10. Do parallel lines converge?
11. What is the sum of 1 + 1?
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Polyas Heuristics
The first and most important step in solving
a problem is to understand the problem,
that is, identify exactly which quantity the
problem is asking you to find or solve for
(make sure you read the whole problem).

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Polyas Heuristics
Next you need to devise a plan, that is,
identify which skills and techniques you
have learned can be applied to solve the
problem at hand.

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Polyas Heuristics
Carry out the plan
Look back: Does the answer you found
seem reasonable? Also review the problem
and method of solution so that you will be
able to more easily recognize and solve a
similar problem.
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1. Identify the
real problem

6. Write a report
and/or present
the results

Figure 1.
THE MATHEMATICAL
MODELING FLOW
DIAGRAM

5. Compare
with the
real world

2. List the
factors and
assumptions

3. Formulate
and solve the
mathematical
problem
4. Interpret the
mathematical
solution

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