Unit 2: Problem Solving

Throughout our whole lives we are called upon to solve problems of many different types. Problems can range from being international in scope like solving world hunger, to very personal, like what do I eat for supper. Problems can be social in nature, like who am I going to take to Friday's dance, to very technical, like how do I fix the flat tire on my car.

Problem Solving Methods

The methods we use to solve problems depend largely on the nature of the problem. Your high school math classes devote much time and practise to the study of problem solving methods. Please review these methods provided by Mathcounts. The names of the eight specific strategies for problem solving may vary in different texts but the concepts referred to are largely the same.

Robert Harris has written a book called "Problem Solving Techniques" discussing general parameters and techniques that people need to address in the processes of searching for solutions to major problems. Although Harris does not directly deal with problems associated within the varied fields of computational science, his discussions of the techniques used to engage in creative and flexible problem solving are invaluable. Reading the condensed paper of Harris' book will help you immensely in understanding the problem solving techniques you'll want to use not only in computational problems but many of life's problems as well.