Explore different problem-solving strategies that are essential for personal growth, academic success, and sustained professional achievement.

Computer Science Bootcamp

Problem-solving skills empower individuals to adapt and face challenges resiliently, resulting in efficiency, innovation, and effective decision-making. This versatile skill set is more than an immediate problem-solving tool; it is a lifelong asset essential for personal growth, academic success, and sustained professional achievement.

In this module, you’ll learn and apply Polya’s problem-solving process, using it as your guide to tackle various games and puzzles. Additionally, you’ll explore different problem-solving strategies, including the top-down approach, bottom-up approach, divide and conquer, stepwise refinement, analogy, and induction/pattern identification.

After completing this module, you’ll acquire the expertise to apply Polya’s systematic approach to resolving intricate problems and establish the groundwork for a lifelong skill set. This comprehensive understanding will empower you to master effective strategies for problem-solving.

Learn Problem-Solving with Pólya

# Problem

Two steel plates meet at a right ($90 \degree$) angle, forming an "L" shape. The lengths and widths of both plates are given. 

In order to create support, we need to connect both ends of one plate to the opposite ends of the other plate with wires. How long will the wires need to be?

## Exploring the problem

Let's apply Pólya's problem-solving steps. First, to understand this problem, we need to gather all the information in the problem statement.


Get an overview of the problem in this chapter and try to understand it.

Introduction

Measuring Quantities with a Bottom-Up Approach

Solving the Farmer’s Dilemma by Embracing a Top-Down Approach

Using an Analogy for Calculating the Length of Wire

Unveiling the Bear’s Color with a Stepwise Refinement Strategy

Using Divide and Conquer to Win the Number Guessing Game

Applying Divide and Conquer for Mastering Minesweeper

Cherishing Gauss’s Genius of Spotting Patterns

Utilizing Pattern Identification for Counting

Conclusion

Understanding the Problem

Problem