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

We have our strategy. Now, we can try to solve the problem.

# Solution

We have to repeat the steps discussed in the strategy in the previous lesson.

Let’s say the correct room number is 15, and we do not know it yet. Here is a viable plan to solve this problem:

- We can start with the middle number in the given range as our initial guess (e.g., 25).
- This guess is too high. Our new range will be 1–24.
- We can guess the middle number in the range. Let’s guess 12.
- This guess is too low. Our new range is 13–24.
- We can guess the middle number in the new given range. Let’s guess 18.
- The guess is too high. Our new range is 13–17.
- The middle number in the new given range is 15. Let’s guess it. It is the correct number.

This solution looks like this:


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

Devise a Plan: Solution

Solution