Problem-Solving Techniques

First, make sure you understand the problem. Look at some particular examples of your problem where the solution is clear, understand the components of the problem. When your have a more or less complete image of the problem in your head, make a list of potential solutions/approaches. Think about the list that you made until one particular approach or solution appears to be the most fruitful and then pursue that. If/when you get stuck, go back to earlier steps of this process.

Try to solve problems. If you solve one, great. If you don't, try to solve the problem of why you couldn't solve that problem. If possible, try to solve the problem again.

I think it's about finding a pattern in the problem you have solved before . With experience and spending time on a problem things will become more clear . But I would recommend spend time and try to understand the root cause and it would help in the next problem you have

Explain the problem. Literally write it out. Describe it in great detail. As you describe it, identify the parts of it that feel familiar, and the parts that don’t. With the parts that familiar, describe what you would do to address them. With the parts that don’t, try to identify how they might be similar to other problems and how they differ. Keep reducing the problem into familiar and unfamiliar. When you’re sure you’ve isolated the unfamiliar, research. See if other people have solved simila

When asking for help solving a problem, I start writing a question to ask someone, and then as I start explaining what I've tried (to try to be respectful of their time and them not have to repeat anything I've done) more and more things to try occur to me. By the time I've tried all the things that occur to me while describing the problem, I've solved the problem. That's the way it works out more often than not.

For all we know, this is how everyone actually solves problems all the time, the difference being that when most people are asked how they solved a problem they confabulate something after the fact. If you want to gain this skill, perhaps you could consciously practice coming up with a story for how a solution could have been found after you do it. Maybe look at a book like Polya's How to Solve It and construct a sequence of hints like those in the book ("consider special cases",

I think that for any type of problem solving there is a clear workflow you must go through in order to efficiently come to a solution. 1.) Break down the problem to see what you are actually required to do. 2.) Think of ways in which you have solved previous problems and check whether you can do something similar to what you have done in the past. 3.) If you need to do something that you haven't done before do some research and find the tools that you need to solve the problem; if there are mult

Solve problems. Hopefully, after solving a problem several times, you'll be able to recognize it.

Thank you, this is very insightful, this idea that some problems are amenable to just trying things and some problems require thought before starting.

The problem is that people tend to look for solutions before they truly know the problem. Practice searching for problems, at the lowest levels, again and again. This detective type skill will train your mind to break things down into manageable pieces. Solutions to problems that have been broken down far enough are usually self evident. But you are looking at end products, wondering why you can't solve anything. Does that make sense?