Four Principles
How to Solve It suggests the following steps when solving a mathematical problem:
- First, you have to understand the problem.
- After understanding, then make a plan.
- Carry out the plan.
- Look back on your work. How could it be better?
If this technique fails, Pólya advises: "If you can't solve a problem, then there is an easier problem you can solve: find it." Or: "If you cannot solve the proposed problem, try to solve first some related problem. Could you imagine a more accessible related problem?"
Read more about this topic: How To Solve It
Famous quotes containing the word principles:
“The same principles which at first view lead to skepticism, pursued to a certain point, bring men back to common sense.”
—George Berkeley (16851753)
“Now there cannot be first principles for men, unless the Divinity has revealed them; all the restbeginning, middle, and endis nothing but dreams and smoke.”
—Michel de Montaigne (15331592)