Persevere! Keep trying different strategies and stay open to creative ideas. Try not to get frustrated.

Be more active in the solution!! Ask yourself questions about the problem. Is this problem a routine one? What data are missing? What equations can I use? Explore the problem. Draw sketches of what you think that the solution should look like. (e.g. temperature-time curve). Write equations. Keep track of your progress.

Re-focus on the fundamentals. Review the textbook and lecture material. Look for similar examples. Study the examples given. Change what is given in the example and what is asked, then try to see how it might relate to the problem you are addressing.

Break the problem into parts. Analyze the parts of the problem. Concentrate on the parts of the problem you understand and that can be solved.

Verbalize the problem to yourself and others.

Describe... what the problem is what you have done, and where you are stuck

Paraphrase. Re-describe the problem. Think of simpler ways to describe the problem. Ask other classmates to describe the problem to you in their own words.

Use a heuristic or algorithm. The algorithm for closed- ended problems on this site is a good start, and others may be available to you.

Look at extreme cases that could give insight and understanding. For instance: What happens if x = 0? x = infinity?

Simplify the problem and solve a limiting case. Break up the problem into simpler pieces and solve each piece by itself. Find a related but simpler example and work from there.

Try substituting numbers to see if a term can be neglected.

Try solving for ratios to drop out parameters that are not given. You may find that you don't need to find some parameters because they cancel out!

Look for hidden assumptions or for what information you have forgotten to use. After reading each phrase or sentence of the problem statement, ask yourself if any assumptions can be inferred from that phrase.

Alternate working forward towards a solution and backwards from a solution you assumed. Working backwards may at least give you clues as to how you should approach the problem while working forward.

Take a break. Incubate. Let your subconscious work on the problem while you do something else, like exercising, talking to friends, or just relaxing! Sometimes all you need is a break to achieve that final breakthrough!

Brainstorm. Think of different approaches to the problem, no matter how strange. Guess the solution to the problem and then check the answer.

Check again to make sure you are solving the right problem. Double-check all of your values, assumptions, and approaches. Make sure you haven't missed anything and that you are looking for the correct solution.

Try using a different strategy. There is usually more than one way to solve a problem, and you may find a method that you haven't considered is much easier than the one you're working on currently.

Ask for help! There are many resources you may go to for additional instruction or ideas. Instructors can usually steer you in the right direction and clarify your understanding of the problem. If allowed, your classmates may be the biggest source of help, since they usually utilize many different approaches and can relate to your approach.

Back to Closed-Ended Problems