Problem Solving Steps

Videos

• Overview by Drew Hilton (video)
• Example by Drew Hilton (video)

Questions to Ask

• Be clear about what you are trying to find out
• What are the givens?
• What are the boundary cases?
• What will the solution look like?
• What do I need to know to solve the problem?
• Draw a picture or build a model if possible
• Can I draw a table, graph, or picture?
• Know the possibilities
• Games: What moves are allowed?
• Programming: What commands do I know?
• In general: What steps are there to choose from?
• Do some examples
• Are there some small examples I can already do?
• Is there a way to simplify the problem specification to start with?
• Find patterns
• Can I do enough examples that I see a pattern in the answers?
• Can I categorize the problem into cases?
• Once the pattern emerges, can I use variables to give a generic answer?
• Work backwards
• Can I start with the end result and examine the process to get there?
• Approximate the answer.
• Can I use estimation to get an idea of the answer?
• Guess and check
• Can I use process of elimination to zero in on the answer?
• Can I apply brute force?
• Know the constraints
• What is the limited resource?
• Am I making the most of it?
• Verify your answers according to the first step
• Does the answer make sense?
• Does it match my initial estimation?