Heuristic Approach to Problem-solving

A heuristic is a practical, experience-based strategy for solving problems when standard methods are not obvious. It’s about exploring, experimenting, and discovering patterns rather than following rigid rules.

Heuristic Approach to problem-solving
Elementary Example 1
Draw it out
Example: The staircase with 3 steps is made up of 6 blocks. If Thomas had 21 bolcks just like these to build a staircase, then how many steps would there be?

Heuristic Approach to problem-solving
Elementary Example 5
Example: 12 matchsticks are arranged to make a figure shown below. Rearrange 3 of them to form 3 squares of the same size.

Heuristic Approach to problem-solving
Intermediate Example 3
Make suppositions - Digit Word problem
Can Samuel find this number? Study the clues and help Samuel.

1. I am a 3-digit number
   
2. My first digit is 4 times my second digit
   
3. My digits add up to 19
   What is the mystery number?

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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