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Problem Solving : EliminationFiled Under: Discussion

Problem solving is a technique we have to use in our everyday life. Whether if it’s to calculate change or make a measurement, it’s all meant to solve a particular problem.

Today, we’re going to look at problems from the angle of how to use techniques within problem solving itself. Of course, one might ask if they’re really looking at the right problem, asking the right questions but we’ll not be talking about that in this article.

We’ll instead, talk about Problem Solving using Elimination methodolgy.

So what’s elimination? Perhaps many already knew and are currently scorning at this article. Granted, but perhaps reading a little more helps reinforce what you already knew?

Elimination is basically, eliminating certain possibilities in a problem context. That means a certain fact or event can never occur under a certain condition or circumstance.

Here’s an example:

All of us are waiting at the traffic light to turn green to that we can cross safely. But I’m in a hurry and I need to cross it as soon as possible. How can I cross when it’s red-man without getting knocked down by oncoming cars?

Problem Domain: Cross asap, without getting knocked down by cars, even when it means violating traffic rules.

State/Circumstance: No major car flow, near side traffic light turning red. Red man still.

Elimination: Once all the cars have stopped on the near side, it’s safe to cross unless a motorcycle is dreaming. Be careful still and there should be no major issues.

State/Circumstance:Standing in the middle of the road, far side traffic light turning red with green arrow. Red man still.

Elimination: Once the traffic light turns red, all cars should have stopped by then. Again, it’ll be safe to cross.

This of course, is a very subjective yet specific example, it’s by no means a concrete proof that elimination in this case works for ALL traffic crossings.

It’s purely a demonstration of eliminating certain possibilities. In the example, the possibilities of a collision with vehicles has been eliminated after a certain period of time.

Conclusion

Elimination is an essential technique within Problem Solving to quickly relieve the burden of having too many things to look out for.

This allows the problem solver to divert his attention to the sub-problems that really matters. To know more, see next article: Problem Solving : Prioritization