Expert Quality Learning Foundation Series 

Two Approaches to Problem Solving

Problem solving is a skill which can be acquired only over a period of time through extensive practice and consistent efforts. There are two approaches to problem solving and it is worthwhile to know more about them here.

1. Top Down Approach : This approach involves breaking up the task into simpler sub-tasks and then solving each one separately, one solution helping to solve the other and so on till the final solution is arrived at. The following steps may be followed:

Step-1 : Data Capture:  Read the given problem carefully once or even more than once till you understand the entire problem fully and then gather all the given data.

Step-2: Conceptualise: Try to recollect the basic concepts and formulae you may need to apply using the given data keeping the end result in mind.

Step-3: Process:  Use the concepts you have identified and the given data and apply them to the relevant formulae to obtain the end result.

This three-step process is a simple approach to problem solving which might be useful in solving simple problems. However, this is a beginner's approach and may not work out well with complex problems and situations.

2. Bottom Up Approach: This approach involves understanding the problem carefully keeping in mind the end result. We start from what is to be found or solved and then work back to find the solution to the problem. This may also be known as "Reverse Engineering". It involves the following steps:

Step-1: Conceptualise: Understand the concept or idea underlying the given problem by reading the problem thoroughly well. Focus on the end result or what is to be found out.

Step-2:  Reverse engineer a process that will be required to obtain the end result using the given data.

Step-3: Testing and Validation: Test and validate (or check) the end result for its correctness.

Practice Problem in Maths (Level: Easy)

Try solving this problem: (The solution will be published in the next post)