Page 9 - Microsoft Word - Thinking like a wallaby 14DEC16.doc

Chapter 2. Breaking down a problem

What I do when I have a problem is split it up into different steps or stages.

Step 1: understand the problem

The first step, is to make sure that I really understand the problem.

These questions can be a very good way to start solving problems. Sometimes the
problem is very clear, but other problems may be as murky as river mud. I remember my

teachers saying that you should always read a question very carefully if you are doing a

written test. It’s the same here – make sure you know what the real problem is and that
you have looked at it from all sides.

Step 2: Look for solutions

When I’ve have done that, I can think about what sort of solutions I need. Sometimes,

the answer will be staring me right in the face, and that’s all I need. And then, at other

times, I may need to think harder and deeper because there may be lots of different
ways to solve the problem and I have to find the best one.

Step 3: Choose the best solution

So that’s the third stage - if there is more than one solution, I have to make the best

choice. I have to ask myself, which answer would fit best?

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