The+Problem+Solver

**The Problem Solver ** What follows is an example of a **6 step problem solving model**. There are many such models each varying to a certain degree. Indeed, there are techniques for breaking down each step further such that the analysis of a problem can become many layers deep. TASK: ** **Step 1**: With a partner choose one of the following problems. > > > the whole class. Finally, the teacher agreed. You need to notify everyone in your class so they won't > have to "burn the midnight candle" tonight. > > > > > > > > > >  **Step 2.2 Analyse the problem** **Step 2.3 Brainstorm ideas** **Step 2.4 Prioritize ideas** **Step 2.5 List the steps to be taken following the chosen solution** **Step 2.6 Evaluate/test the solution** <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Step 3**: Use the 6 Step problem solving model described above to create a possible solution to your problem
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A prisoner is given a chance to be set free or to be executed immediately. To his left is a door to the parole office where he will find freedom and to his right is a door to the gas chamber. There is a guard in front of each door. One always tells the truth whereas the other always lies. The prisoner can ask only one question. What should he do to find his freedom?
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You are given $265. What is the minimum number of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5-dollar bills you will receive?
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You pleaded with your Internet course teacher for an extension of a major assignment on behalf of
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You are going to graduate in three years' time. Your friends and relatives are scattered over the five continents and some like you move to a different country every other year because their parents are ambassadors. Invite all your friends and relatives to your graduation party which will be held three years from now.
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jason wants to decorate the outdoor pool with graphite stone all around it. The graphite stone costs $10.50 per metre. He needs help in finding out how much money he has to put away for this pool decoration project. He also needs whatever advice you give him in hard copy.
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Kelly's sister wants to buy a new car but she doesn't know which type to choose. She has a limited budget and so she is attracted to UltraCalibre lease that requires her to pay only $250/month. After a three -year term, she can own the car if she pays another $8000. She is also attracted to SuperCalibre which costs $18 750 but the dealer offers her a financial payment plan of $5000 down payment and a 9% interest rate per year on the amount outstanding. Her last choice is a SuperUltra. She really likes the look and the ride of the SuperUltra, but she would have to ask the bank for a loan of $25 000 on an interest rate of 12% over three years. Help Kelly's sister make up her mind by finding the best deal and all the pros and cons of each offer. She would feel more confident if she has a write-up of your suggestions when she talks to the dealer next Tuesday.
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Catalogue all your CDs (100 of them) and list them in alphabetical order.
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Calculate the course average of a Grade 10 computer course and print out all pertinent data.
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Find the largest number of 500 numbers.
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Determine all positive prime numbers less than 1 000 000.
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Find the middle number of four numbers.
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Prepare a payroll program for all part-time employees.
 * 1) <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Your uncle wants to downsize his sales department. He wants you to set up a schedule to gradually eliminate five people over the next three months. The first criteria is to eliminate those sales representatives who did not perform 10% better than last year's sales quota and the second criteria is to eliminate those who took more than 10% of the total number of working days sick leave the pastyear. You need to present him with a table outlining the employee's name, employee number, currentsales figures, percent of improvement over last year's sales quota, and the total number of sick daystaken the past year. If you do a good job, he promises to give you a promotion.
 * Step 2.1 Identify the problem**
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">What is the current situation/problem?
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">What is the problem to be solved?
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">What do we know already about the situation/problem? What are our assumptions?
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">What is the knowledge base of the person for whom we're trying to problem-solve?
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">What can or do they understand?
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">What don't we know yet about the whole situation/problem?
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">List all possible ideas to solve the problem.
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">No value judgment is to be passed on any suggestions.
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">The more ideas, the better.
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Establish pros and cons of each suggestion in step 3.
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Rank the suggested ideas from step 3 according to set criteria.
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">What are the steps/instructions we should take according to the top solution ranked in step 4?
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Will these steps/instructions be understood according to the knowledge base established in step 2?
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Do we have the desired results after following the steps in step 5?
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">Does the solution satisfy the needs of the person with the problem?
 * <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">What are some of the areas that are not correct/satisfactory? (back to step 1)

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<span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;"> **Step 7**: **//Hand in Step 2, 3 ,4, and 5//**. -