Improving problem solving skills?

[audreyh]

I'm a 4th year undergraduate physics major and I've realized too much of my college career have I just tried to get to the answer, copy example patterns, and look for a systematic way to solve problems. I realize this will get me nowhere; problem solving is where the physics fun is!

What sort of mental process do you go about when approaching problems?

 

[dontdisturbmycircles]

1.Read question
2.Think very hard
3.Write down the answer

 

[siddharth]

1.Read question
2.Think very hard
3.Write down the answer

That only works when your name is Richard Feynman.

I realize this will get me nowhere; problem solving is where the physics fun is!

What sort of mental process do you go about when approaching problems?

IMO, experience and practice in solving problems is what makes you better at solving problems.

 

[dontdisturbmycircles]

That only works when your name is Richard Feynman.

You mean problems can't be solved by just thinking unless your name is Richard Feynman? :P (I know, the original quote is about Richard Feynman. )

 

[zoobyshoe]

What sort of mental process do you go about when approaching problems?

You mention problem solving and right away people think "Feynman".

My take on why he was so good at it was his attitude: he actually wanted to understand things to satisfy his own curiosity. He didn't view any of the myriad puzzles he solved during his life as "problems": irritating tasks to be fought with. To him all that kind of stuff was exiting, even exhilarating.

I am not sure a person can adopt that attitude artificially in order to be good at physics or math. The curiosity and exitement have to be natural.

 

[Chronos]

Try chess. It opens your mind to all logical possibilities. It also exposes the chinks in your logical armor and humbles you. Can't ask much more from a simple game.