Solve a Problem

There are many ways to solve a problem. One way might be to try the trial and error method. The trial and error method is when a person tries something over and over until they come to a solution. An example of this method is when a person can’t remember which key is the right one to their house. They can keep attempting each key in the eyelet until they find the right key. An algorithm is when a person has a specific step by step way to solve a problem. A very good example of this is the scientific method. Step 1 what is the problem? Step 2 make observations. Steps 3 do research on the problem. Steps 4 make a hypothesis. Step 5 do experiments on the hypothesis and step 6 come to a conclusion. Heuristics is an educated guess based on prior experience that helps narrow down the possible solutions to the problem. Heuristics have many subcategories like representative heuristics, availability heuristics, and means-end analysis. Representative heuristics is categorizing objects into groups that assume that all the objects have the same characteristics. A great example of this is classifying animals into mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The availability heuristics estimation is the frequency of a given event.An example might be that one takes a walk for three mikes, but does not count the number of vehicles that pass them by during the walk. Upon completion of the walk the person would estimate the number of vehicles they thought they had observed. The means-end analysis is when a person finds difference between what the problem is and the end result. Then they will take steps to reduce the difference. An excellent example of this is when someone goes to high school. The end result is graduating with a advanced regents high school degree. The difference is the hard work that goes into high school courses to get good grades. A person might be blocked in finding a solution after applying all the techniques of problem solving when they come across a situation that every style fails them. A good example of this might be attempting to do a calculus math problem with no previous knowledge of that level of math ability. The person would become blocked no matter what technique they attempt and no solution to the problem could be reached.