Solving Home Problems
Steps in Solving Closed-ended Problems
1. Write out the problem stating what it is you are to
solve.
2. Make sure you are solving the real problem as
opposed to the perceived problem.
3. Draw and label a sketch.
4. Identify
A. Relevant principles, theories,
and equations
B. Dependent and independent variables
C. Knowns and unknowns
D. Inputs and outputs
E. Necessary (missing) information
5. List assumptions and approximations.
6. Check to see if the problem is either under specified
or over specified.
7. Relate problem to a similar problem or experience (compare
to an example problem in lecture or in the book).
8. Use an alogorith (e.g. reaction engineering)
Mole balance
Rate laws
Stoichiometry
Combine
Energy balance
Evaluate
9. Develop/derive/integrate and or manipulate an equation
or equations from which the desired variable can be determined.
10. Substitute numerical values and calculate the desired variable.
Check your units at each step in the solution.
11. Examine and evaluate the answer to see if it makes sense.
Is it reasonalbe?
Getting Unstuck
1. Persevere.
2. Break the problem in parts. Concentrate on the
parts of the problem you understand and that can be solved.
3. Be more active in the solution.
A. Ask yourself questions about
the problem.
B. Draw sketches of what you think
the solution should look like.
C. Write equations.
D. Keep track of your progress.
4. Re-focus on the fundamentals.
5. Alternate working forward and backward.
6. Look for hidden assumptions or for what information
you have forgotten to use.
7. Try substituting numbers to see if a term can be neglected.
8. Try solving for ratios to drop out parameters that
are not given.
9. Simplify the problem and solve a limiting case.
10. Take a break.
11. Guess the solution and then check answer.
12. Ask for help.
|