Problem Solving Techniques
Table of contents
Haven't thought of anything, have you? No, neither have I. Think, think, think
The Feynman Algorithm
The Feynman algorithm was facetiously suggested by Murray Gell-Mann, a colleague of Richard Feynman, in a New York Times interview.
It is the combination of three steps:
1. Write down the problem.
2. Think real hard.
3. Write down the solution.
Polya’s Principles
If you can't solve a problem, then there is an easier problem you can
solve: find it.
-- George Poyla --
George Polya described in his 1957 book How to Solve It (HowToSolveIt) a set of heuristics for solving problems. A basic outline of his approach is pretty similar to Feynman’s Algorithm:
1. First, you have to understand the problem.
2. After understanding, make a plan.
3. Carry out the plan.
4. Look back on your work. How could it be better?