What is Problem solving: Definition and 238 Discussions

Problem solving consists of using generic or ad hoc methods in an orderly manner to find solutions to problems. Some of the problem-solving techniques developed and used in philosophy, artificial intelligence, computer science, engineering, mathematics, medicine and societies in general are related to mental problem-solving techniques studied in psychology and cognitive sciences.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. H

    Homework strategies to improve problem solving skills

    Just a question... to learn math/physics, is it better to do ~10 medium-challenging problems that invoke some thought, or doing 2-3 really hard problems that require deep thought and lots of time. Up to now I've been doing both, but it just isn't possible to keep up with UT's supplementary...
  2. B

    What Are the Common Challenges in Problem Solving?

    I need help with the following attachment if possible, i need an answer by tomorrow (10/7) evening Thanks!
  3. S

    Optimization in problem solving and studying

    This might be a stupid question, I'm not use to asking questions about math... I just started on optimization. Can someone tell me What optimization is used for and how I could apply it to a problem. When it comes to a problem, I could do it like if it asks " Find two numbers that satisfy the...
  4. C

    TVM Problem solving the end amount.

    [SOLVED] TVM Problem solving the end amount. Homework Statement 2. A spreadsheet software or TVM solver on a calculator can be used to determine the equal monthly payments that can be paid from an annuity for a set length of time. You can enter different payments until you find the one that...
  5. A

    Improving problem solving skills?

    I'm a 4th year undergraduate physics major and I've realized too much of my college career have I just tried to get to the answer, copy example patterns, and look for a systematic way to solve problems. I realize this will get me nowhere; problem solving is where the physics fun is! What sort...
  6. V

    Differential problem solving

    Homework Statement A balloon is rising at a constant speed of 5ft/s. A boy cycling along a straight road at a speed of 15 ft/s. When he passes directly under the balloon, it is 45 ft above him. how fast is the distance between the boy and the balloon increasing 3 seconds later? Homework...
  7. M

    Problem Solving vs. New Material

    I'm going to be starting my freshman year in college this september, and I've been spending my summer working on math. So far I've been working on baby Rudin (on chapter 5, plan to stop after chapter 7). I'm wonder whether people (*cough* mathwonk *cough* :-) ) thinks that it is important to...
  8. A

    Problem Solving Skill vs. Knowledge

    Problem Solving Skill vs. Mathematical Knowledge Here goes more of my mathematical musings: Problem Solving Skill vs. Mathematical Knowledge. Which is more important to you? Spending time to improve one will cost you time to improve the other. You must excel at both to become a...
  9. R

    Proof: (Pigeon Hole Principle) from a Problem Solving Class

    Homework Statement Prove that THEIR EXISTS INTEGERS a,b,c NOT ALL 0 AND EACH OF ABSOLUTE VALUE <10^6 SUCH THAT |a + sqrt(2)*b + cuberoot(3)*c| < 10^-11 Homework Equations |a + sqrt(2)*b + cuberoot(3)*c| < 10^-11 The Attempt at a Solution Well, I know that we have to use...
  10. M

    Can a high-achieving math student solve international Olympiad problems?

    Hi, I am sorry about the length of this but I would appreciate if some you took the time to read and reply. I guess I am posting this because I require a little direction at the moment. I am entering into my last year of a math degree in Australia. I have studied quite a bit of math in my...
  11. C

    Recommendations for a Problem Solving Book

    Anyone have any recommendations for a problem solving book (i.e. simple algebra word problems all the way up to Putnam)? Thanks
  12. JasonJo

    Mathematica Getting better at mathematical problem solving

    I am doing very well in school, but I know if I want to get into the top tier graduate schools, i need to get a lot better. I recently purchased the Red Book and the Green Book of Mathematical Problems (it's pretty much 200 Putnam type problems/mathematical olympiad type problems). And I did...
  13. A

    Problem Solving question with circles

    1.what is the equation of the largest circle that can be incribed in a square of side length 9 units, if the diagonals of the square intersect at (-1,3). where the radious is 9, but the ansewer in wrong *** 2.Todd is flying his radio-controilled airplane abouve the ground in a circular path...
  14. T

    Integral/Derivative Problem Solving Question

    ---------------------------------------------- | Distance x in cm | 0 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 8 | -------------------|-----|----|----|----|----| | Temp t(x) in °C | 100 | 93 | 70 | 62 | 55 | ---------------------------------------------- Metal wire is 8 cm. and heated at one end. distance x is how...
  15. R

    Problem Solving with Probability

    Hi, I just need people to check my work. 1. a) Determine the number of ways to arrange the letters in the word BOOKKEEPER. I did \frac{10!}{2!2!3!} which is 151200. b) Determine the number of ways to arrange the letters in the word BOOKKEEPER if you select at most 3. I did...
  16. M

    Problem solving separable diff EQ w/ I.Condition. , they say its wrong :x

    Hello everyone i did this one surley thing it would work out and yet another failure. :cry: Solve the separable differential equation 11 x - 8 y*sqrt{x^2 + 1}*{dy}/{dx} = 0. Subject to the initial condition: y(0) = 6. y = ?I'm pretty sure where I messed up is when i tried to solve for y, i...
  17. 2

    Calculating Current for Electromagnet Lift

    I have this question that I have been completely stuck on with the equations that i have and i was wondering if someone could help me with this question but what equation should i use first to get myself going. Someone drives an electromagnet at a junk yard. Normally the magnet uses 200 A...
  18. D

    Two Calculus Problem Solving Questions.

    #1: The tangent at a point P on the curve y = x^3 intersects the curve again at a point Q. Show that the slope of the tangent at Q is four times the slope of the tangent at P. So far, I found the derivative of y = x^3, which is y' = 3x^2. Now I set these two equal to each other: X^3 = 3x^2...
  19. A

    Calculating Forces with Friction and Newton's Laws

    Hi there, I'm having some trouble with this problem right now. We are learning about Newton's First/Second/Third Laws. With a friction coefficient of 0.15, what is the force that the crates exert on each other if the crate 1 is 75kg and crate 2 is 110kg with a push of 730N? Can anyone...
  20. D

    Calculus Problem Solving Question

    Please help me solve this problem. Find numbers a, b, and c so that the graph of f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c has x-intercepts at (0,0) and (8,0) and a tangent with slope 16 where x = 2. I have done this so far: f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c f '(x) = (2)(a)(x) + b 16 = (2)(a)(2) + b 16 = 4a + b I...
  21. siddharth

    Are there additional ways to enhance problem solving skills?

    This is the advice my professor gave me on problem solving and I thought that it would be useful if I could share it. 1. Learn the basic ideas. Spend sufficient time on each problem. Some of the problems will take a long time - it is worth spending the time on it. Even if you don't...
  22. infraray

    My lack of problem solving skills - Mechanics

    I am taking a senior level analytical Mechanics course, which is very math based. I am having major difficulty in bridging the gap between what a given problem is asking for and manipulating the problem to solve it. I have had all the necessary math courses and did respectable, but now I feel...
  23. T

    Optimizing Antifreeze Mixture: How Much Water to Add?

    Problem Solving... Problem For the love of God I need some help... Here is the question: How much water should be added to 20 gallons of a solution that is 50% antifreeze in order to get a mixture that is 30% antifreeze? I came up with two answers but am not sure if either are correct...
  24. A

    Improve Problem Solving Skills in Year 10

    Hey everone... I'm in year 10 and my problem solving skills have been perished in the time that i haven't been doing much of it. Can you guys recommend any books to things that i could do to get my skills back but to par? Thanks for your time
  25. S

    Problem Solving Textbook Recomendations

    I might be teaching a class next year simply called "problem solving." The idea of the class is to survey a several different general topics with a goal of teaching students how to mathematically and formally write up their ideas. Basically get students out of the Calc I habit of writing...
  26. P

    Problem Solving and Professional Mathematics

    Hi, I was wondering what the "big" math people here think about a correllation between recreational problems and performance in professional math fields. I hope this isn't too much of a stupid question. But this is what I was thinking. I was wondering if people who do well on the AIME, USAMO...
  27. A

    Chemistry problem solving (neutralisation)

    On se propose de préparer une solution de pH= 4.4 en utilisant 100 ml d'une solution d'acide benzoïque de concentration 2,5.10^-2 mol.L^-1 pKa C6H5COOH/C6H5COO- = 4.20 a)quel volume V d'une solution d'hydroxyde de sodium NaOH de concentration 0.1 mol.L^-1 faut-il lui ajouter? b)si à la...
  28. I

    System of differential equations - a big problem solving it

    Hi! I have a serious problem solving the following system of differential equations: m_1\ddot{x_1}=-k_1x_1-k(x_1-x_2) m_2\ddot{x_2}=-k_2x_2-k(x_2-x_1) Does anybody have an idea how to solve it? Thanks.
  29. F

    Question on problem solving and Newton's 3rd law

    When there are two objects interacting, like a block on another one, when do you write your equations/draw free body diagram for both objects as a single system? And when should you write eq/draw diagrams for each block separately? For example there was a question where there was an inclined...
  30. J

    Solving Closest Values of x to Zero: Formula to Make it Easy

    I am having trouble solving for the two values of (x) that are closest to zero. -30 sin 3x = 1/10 cos 3x Is there a formula I could use to make this easy?
  31. H

    Have you ever solved a problem in your dreams?

    I had a really strange dream experience the other night, which I don't think I've known the likes of before. It wasn't crazy or outlandish-- quite the contrary-- I had to do some math! Err, well, I didn't quite solve Fermat's last theorem. It was a pretty mundane dream where I was at a store...
  32. O

    Learn How to Solve Physics Problems Easily

    Do you know some websites that I can learn to solve physics problem ? I know the concepts well but when I start to solve the problems, mess up :cry: I searched for this in google but I found just some suggestions on problem solving and not a complete and clear way.
  33. A

    Graphic technique for math problem solving

    Hello , the other day I discover a graphic technique very useful to solve math problems ... It has got foundations of different branches of the knowledge ... There are a few examples of how to solve math problems ahh the technique is "Mind Graph" Best Regards Angel S.P...
  34. T

    Need some help with Applications and Problem Solving .

    Need some help with Aplications and Problem Solving ... Framing a Photo - A photo measuring 12 cm by 8cm is to be surrounded by a mat before framing. The width of the mat is to be the same on all sides of the photo. The area of tht mat is to equal the area of the photo. Find the width of the...
  35. E

    Is Mu Alpha Theta's Problem Solving Text Worth It for Competition Math Prep?

    http://www.mualphatheta.org/Links/MAO_Links_Books_Problem_Solving.htm I think the text is by Mu Alpha Theta... Does anyone know or used this text before? Thanks...
  36. V

    Solve 2x + 2y + 50 = 2x + 2y + 50 for x: Problem Solving with 2D Matrices

    I just started taking geometry and discrete math and we're just learning 2d matrices. Here is a problem I can't figure out: 1) My wife and I are 6 years apart in age. If you double the sum of our ages and add 50, you get the same number as when you add 25 to the sum of our ages and double it...
  37. W

    Critical Thinking & Problem Solving HELP ME

    On my quiz, it asked... "When using a hammer to drive a nail into wood, you have to swing the hammer through the air with certain velocity. Because the hammer has both mass and momentum. Describe what happens to the hammer's momentum after the hammer hits the nail." SCIENCE ISN'T...
  38. D

    Problem solving tips for physics exams

    help please! i have a mid term physics test in abut a week, i really need some studying tips anyone can give...,problem solving tips?, shortcuts oin questions, anything that could help me would be greatly apprecited...thank you
Back
Top