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

# Applying the solution

Let’s execute the plan we made in the previous step. The first step is to have the 9-quart pail full and put one quart of water in a 4-quart pail by performing the following:

To measure six quarts of water in the 9-quart pail, we should have one quart of water in the 4-quart pail.

We know how to measure one quart of water from the previous lesson. Let’s follow the same steps.

To measure one quart of water, we need five quarts of water in the 9-quart pail. To measure five quarts, we need the 9-quart pail full and the 4-quart pail empty.

1. Fill the 9-quart pail.
2. Fill the 4-quart pail from the 9-quart pail, leaving 5 quarts in the 9-quart pail.
3. Empty the 4-quart pail.
4. Fill the 4-quart pail from the 9-quart pail, leaving 1 quart in the 9-quart pail.

The entire process is illustrated in the slides below.

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

Carrying Out the Plan

Applying the solution