Anarchistic Model of Problem Solving

George Bodner offers this refined model of what expert problem solvers do when they work problems:

1. Read the problem.

2. Now read the problem again.

3. Write down what you hope is the relevant information.

4. Draw a picture, make a list, write an equation or formula to help you begin to understand the problem. Better yet, ask someone who knows how to solve the problem to solve it for you. [Note: This is my contribution - not George's. I'm sure he inadvertently left out this obvious step used by most expert problem solvers.]

5. Try something.

6. Try something else.

7. See where this gets you.

8. Read the problem again.

9. Try something else.

10. See where this gets you.

11. Test intermediate results to see whether you are making any progress toward an answer.

12. Read the problem again.

13. When appropriate, strike your forehead and say, "Son of a …"

14. Write down an answer (not necessarily the answer).

15. Test the answer to see if it makes sense.

16. Start over if you have to, celebrate if you don't.