Solving a problem, how do you start ?
By mor
@stringer321 (5644)
Kiryat Ata, Israel
December 31, 2012 4:45pm CST
When having a problem to solve, we get some given facts from a certain field with definitions that we can start working with.
There is a problem we need to solve and many times, we don't know where to start from.
My strategy is to start learning about the things in the problem: some of the things are defined well and their definitions can give a better clue, they give you some hidden facts. I can also use facts that I have from the subject the problem is taken from and apply the facts on the things in the problem so I will get some conclusions and use them later. This way, I get more facts about the problem , get conclusions and I get a better understanding of the problem.
What do you suggest ?
Do you have any simple example of how to start learning a problem ?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@dollar3235 (2062)
• India
1 Jan 13
It's a very general question where I don't know what kind of problems you want to handle/solve. However, in general I would say, I decide the first and the last point of the problem.
First Point: Current situation.
Last Point: Situation once the problem is solved.
Then I try to find all the possible ways from first point to the last point. Once I've a few alternative paths available, I compare all the alternatives and choose the most suitable path for solving the problem..
@dollar3235 (2062)
• India
1 Jan 13
If you are really interested in problem solving techniques, I would suggest you to read a few "Design Analaysis and Algorithms" books, it'll give you more ideas on this.
1 person likes this
@stringer321 (5644)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
2 Jan 13
Thanks for the tip, Did you learn computer sciences somewhere ?
Algorithms and analyzing are well connected with each other: the algorithm comes from the analyzing of the problem. We get some conclusions and base the algorithm on them.
@stringer321 (5644)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
1 Jan 13
I think of problem like playing chess: You have to calculate forward since you can't tell for sure what will happen after you make a step.
One of the problems is that many people are not aware to the steps they can make any single time. The problem gives some starting points and that's it. What can one do with that ? He needs to know what steps are available and try them one after another...
In chess, one can see all of the steps he can make : he go to each of his tools and try to move them in his imagination to their possible directions, putting them on the available space according to the rules.
In many other fields, the steps are not visual like this.
@alottodo (3056)
• Australia
1 Jan 13
How to solve a problem? good question to me it depends on the problem it self I would look first at what is causing the problem in the first place and then go from there. Some times cutting the source of the problem is the best way to solve it.
1 person likes this
@stringer321 (5644)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
1 Jan 13
The root of the problem is not always visible. You need to work hard to find it.
Sometimes, cutting the root is not the solution. Take for example a chess game : cutting the source of the problem is not applicable. You need to see all of your options and think forward about all of the courses the game will have and all of that.
It is not about finding the source of a problem...
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
2 Jan 13
I honestly don't know if there is a way that I can properly answer the question that you've posed here because you haven't said what kind of a problem that you are dealing with. You see, I think that there are a lot of different ways that you can approach problems that you face in your life and the only way that you can define how the problem needs to be solved really has a strong bearing on the kind of problem that you are dealing with.
1 person likes this
@stringer321 (5644)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
2 Jan 13
Yup, many problems are just belong to specific area of knowledge and we have to take the facts from that area. It will probably help us more that just think about other things. The kind of the problem has something to do with the solution.
I'm talking about logical problems mostly. I don't mind talking about problems in real life too like conflicts, arguments...Those are not to be solved with an algorithm, those are based on things that are more subjective and not on logical facts.
@stringer321 (5644)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
1 Jan 13
Yea, in real life, we deal with many problems like those. Look at politicians that need to handle complicated situations, they need a very good strategy and consider all of their available steps they can do. No solution is perfect to all.
One of the problems, like I said before, is that we must be aware to all of the things we can do. In chess game, one can see that. In other problems, the steps are less visual and we got to find them and consider them.
I recommend learning high level math and you will see how to prove things. It takes a lot of creativity with the given facts that you have.
@kenshin2143 (1880)
• Philippines
1 Jan 13
As for the problems, I normally sit back and relax, then think about it and some future results. However, if the problem is really that difficult to handle. I just kneel down and pray, and of course read some scriptures for guidance.
@stringer321 (5644)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
1 Jan 13
That's good, reading material about the problem may help. You can learn new facts about things that are given in the problem and see how to go on.
If you prey, it might help you think "out of the box" and find a creative solution.
@mariagloria (14)
• Philippines
5 Jan 13
as a call center agent, we are to provide solutions to our caller's problem. so we need to pay much attention listening with them before we analyze the situation... and finally provide a solution... and we had definite time on dealing with it.
@stringer321 (5644)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
6 Jan 13
Do you do the technical support on the phone when clients call ?
I tried to get accepted to technical support some times and I didn't pass their requirements. They need assertive people with a lot of confidence. Maybe I need some more of it. I wish to find a job already that involves teaching and helping.
So, to solve a problem we need to have patience and focus. This is how we are more ready to deal with the problem.
@stringer321 (5644)
• Kiryat Ata, Israel
1 Jan 13
Yup, we can take two facts from the problem and see what conclusion they make. Maybe that conclusion will help us make a progress. Good start.
