Problem-solver Characteristics 1
Problem-solver CharacteristicsPS Characteristics1If there is a problem you can't solve, then there is an easier problem youcan solve: find it.George PolyaOpportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overallsand looks like work.Thomas EdisonIt is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thoughtwithout accepting it.AristotleCS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
Getting Started with a ProblemPS Characteristics2“Eighty percent of success is showing up.” Woody Allen“Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.” Thomas EdisonThe Principle of Intimate Engagement: You must commit to the problem“Roll up your sleeves”“Get your hands dirty.”CS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
Easy vs. Hard ProblemsPS Characteristics3Easy problems: you can just "see the answer"Medium problems: you can see the answer once you engageHard problems: you need strategies for coming up with a potentialsolution, sometimes for even getting startedThere are few, if any, objective criteria for deciding whether a givenproblem is easy, medium or hard.What is hard for one solver may be easy for another.What is hard for you under come conditions may be easy for you underdifferent conditions.CS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
Effective vs. Ineffective Problem SolversPS Characteristics4Effective:Believe that problems can be solved through the use of heuristicsand careful persistent analysisIneffective:Believe You either know it or you don't.''Effective:Active in the problem-solving process: draw figures, makesketches, ask questions of themselves and others.Ineffective:Don't seem to understand the level of personal effort needed tosolve the problem.Effective:Take great care to understand all the facts and relationshipsaccurately.Ineffective:Make judgments without checking for accuracyCS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
Mental ToughnessPS Characteristics5Need the attributes of confidence and concentrationConfidence comes with practiceAttack a new problem with an optimistic attitudeUnfortunately, it takes timeYou can’t turn it on and off at willNeed to develop a life-long habitCS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
Engagers vs. DismissersPS Characteristics6Engagers typically have a history of success with problem solving.Dismissers have a history of failure.You might be an engager for one type of problem, and a dismisser foranother.You can “intervene with yourself” to change your attitude of dismissal.CS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
The Mental BlockPS Characteristics7Many students do significant problem solving for recreationSudoku, computer games, recreational puzzles.These same students might dismiss math and analytical computer scienceproblems due to a historical lack of success (the mental block)To be successful in life you will need to find ways to get over any mentalblocks you haveLearn to transfer successful problem-solving strategies from one part ofyour life to other parts.Example: Writing is a lot like programming.CS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
Engagement ExamplePS Characteristics8Connect each box with its same-letter mate without letting the lines crossor leave the large box.BACCS@VTCBAIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
Engagement ExamplePS Characteristics9Draw a continuous polygonal line that passes through each circle exactlyonce – and use the fewest number of line segments you can manage:CS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
Engagement ExamplePS Characteristics 10The picture below shows a horseshoe with six nail holes.Can you make two straight cuts that result in six pieces, each containinga single nail hole?Michalewicz2CS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
Engagement ExamplePS Characteristics 11Cryptoarithmetic problem: ADDI---------DIDLevineCS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
Non-engagement ExamplePS Characteristics 12LevineCS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
"Real World" Engagement ExamplesPS Characteristics 13Repairing something (dryer, toaster, etc.)Dryer example: Clean it outTable example: Look for the loose partsCar seat example: Reattach spring wire“Taking the time”You can screw something up or do something dangerous. But often youare not faced with such a prospect.Some domains require that you study/practice/build expertise to be effectiveThe act of engagement can help you build domain knowledgeCS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
Overcoming ProcrastinationPS Characteristics 14Writing/programming/project procrastinationJust sit down and write, don’t care about quality to startWrite whatever part of the document/program appeals. Don’t do it start tofinish.Do part of it at a time, over timePeople don’t write books, they write sections or pagesPeople don’t write programs, they write functions, etc.Schedule to work. Milestones, etc.Commit to someone outside if that helpsInvent deadlines if you are deadline-drivenCS@VTIntro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer
Thomas Edison It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. Aristotle. PS Characteristics CS@VT Intro Problem Solving in Computer Science 2011 McQuain & Shaffer . Microsoft PowerPoint - T6_PSCharacteristics.ppt [Compatibility Mode]
SOLVER IN EXCEL 2 . 2 . Accessing Solver . Solver is an Excel add-in, so the first step in using Solver is to ensure that it is loaded on your computer. The Solver option is shown in the Data Tab. Click on the data tab, and look in the area at the far right of the ribbon (shown here in the yellow circle). If
models built with Excel’s Solver. However, ASPE is a more powerful version of Excel’s Solver and relies on a different user interface. ASPE is an integration of several software packages, including Risk Solver Platform for Education (RS
Excel 2010’s Solver has a new interface, offers new solving methods, and generates new reports. Since not everyone has access to Excel 2010, we will look at how to set up Solver using both the new interface (in Excel 2010) and the old interface (in Excel 2007). The main area of the Solver is
problems, the NLP solver can calculate the covariance matrix after it successfully obtains parameter estimates. Getting Started: NLP Solver The NLP solver consists of two techniques that can solve a wide class of optimization problems efficiently and robustly. In this section two examples that introduce the
Abstract. This document describes a non-linear regression solver for GAMS. 1. Introduction The non-linear regression solver NLS for GAMS calculates estimates θ for the non-linear statistical model: (1) y f(X,θ) ε The solver calculates (2) min θ Xn i 1 [y i f(X i,θ)] 2 using the nonlinear least squares package NL2SOL[16].
Excel Solver 1 Table of Contents Introduction to Excel Solver slides 3-4 Example 1: Diet Problem, Set-Up slides 5-11 Example 1: Diet Problem, Dialog Box slides 12-17 Example 2: Food Start-Up Problem slides 18-19 2 Note that there is an Excel fil
Many engineering programs teach Excel in freshmen-level introduction to engineering courses. But Excel data solver had not been mentioned or emphasized due to limited hours4. Amir Karimi did give some examples using Excel solver in an undergraduate heat transfer course5. A Statically-indeterminate Problem Here is a statics problem at hand:
2.5 Using Excel's Solver to Solve Linear Program-ming Problems 38 2.6 Risk Solver Platform for Education (RSPE) 42 2.7 A Minimization Example—The Profit & Gambit . Computer Simulation with Risk Solver Platform 525 13.1 A Case Study: Freddie the Newsboy's Problem 526 13.2 Bidding for a Construction Project: A Prelude to the Reliable .
