Question 1

Mayra wants to generate a set of anagrams for a contest in the campus paper. To generate the anagrams, she starts with the words that the contestants need to come up with to win the contest, and then scrambles the letters. In this case, Mayra's method of solving the problem is consistent with the problem-solving heuristic known as
A) means-end analysis.
B) searching for analogies.
C) working backward.
D) trial-and-error.

Accepted Answer

Working backward involves starting with the solution and working in reverse to understand how to arrive at that solution. Mayra starts with the final words (solutions) and scrambles them to create the anagrams.

Question 2

Observing the similarities between a new problem to be solved and one you've successfully solved in the past is called
A) an algorithm.
B) searching for analogies.
C) shaping.
D) the alternative outcomes effect.

Accepted Answer

The process of observing similarities between a new problem and a previously solved problem is called searching for analogies. This is a key aspect of problem-solving and can help individuals come up with innovative solutions to new problems. Algorithms are a set of steps or rules that are followed to solve a problem, shaping is a method of gradually molding behavior through reinforcement and the alternative outcomes effect refers to the idea that individuals tend to overestimate the likelihood of alternative outcomes when facing difficult decisions.

Question 3

Seventeen-year-old Ashley is driving her brother's car when she has her first-ever flat tire. She realizes that she needs to find where the spare tire and the jack and other tools are stored in the car, remove the flat tire and install the spare tire. Ashley is approaching the problem by
A) forming subgoals.
B) changing the representation of the problem.
C) working backward.
D) searching for analogies.

Accepted Answer

Ashley is breaking down the overall goal of fixing the flat tire into smaller subgoals, such as locating the spare tire and tools and removing the flat tire. This approach allows her to approach the problem in a more manageable and achievable way.

Question 4

Hill climbing is a good problem-solving strategy to use when
A) all other heuristics have failed to produce workable solutions.
B) a problem has many choice points and the optimal path to the goal is not clearly defined.
C) there are similarities between the current problem and previous problems.
D) a problem does not have a well-defined goal.

Accepted Answer

Hill climbing is particularly useful when a problem has multiple choice points and the best possible path to the goal is not clearly defined. It involves making the best decision at each step of the problem, gradually moving closer to the solution.

Question 5

Diagrams sometimes facilitate problem-solving because they
A) aid in the search for analogies.
B) make it easier to execute algorithms.
C) change the representation of the problem.
D) relax constraints on problem solutions.

Accepted Answer

Diagrams can help to change the representation of a problem, allowing the problem-solver to see it in a new light and potentially identify a solution that was previously hidden. A and B are possible benefits of diagrams, but are not as closely related to problem-solving as changing representation. D is not a common benefit of diagrams in problem-solving.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a common heuristic for problem-solving?
A) working backward
B) forming subgoals
C) trial and error
D) hill climbing

Accepted Answer

Trial and error is not considered a common heuristic for problem-solving as it does not rely on a systematic or strategic approach. The other options listed (working backward, forming subgoals, and hill climbing) are commonly used heuristics in problem-solving.

Question 7

Working backward is a good strategy to follow when
A) a problem has obvious subgoals.
B) you can recognize the similarity between two problems.
C) the problem does not have a well-specified goal.
D) you have many options available at the beginning of a problem, but few options at the end.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Working backward is a good strategy to...

Question 8

The hill-climbing heuristic involves
A) selecting the alternative at each choice point that appears to lead most directly to one's goal.
B) trying to find a connection between the current problem and some previous problem.
C) attempting various problem solutions sequentially until a successful solution is found.
D) starting at the goal state and moving toward the current point in the problem.

Accepted Answer

The hill-climbing heuristic involves selecting the alternative at each choice point that appears to lead most directly to one's goal, a process known as "climbing the hill" towards the goal state.

Question 9

A methodical, step-by-step procedure for trying all possible alternatives in searching for a solution to a problem is
A) an algorithm.
B) an analogy.
C) a heuristic.
D) a style.

Accepted Answer

A methodical, step-by-step procedure for trying all possible alternatives is a definition of an algorithm. Options B, C, and D are not applicable to this definition.

Question 10

If you solve a current problem using the solution to a previous, similar problem, which heuristic are you applying?
A) working backward from the goal
B) the availability heuristic
C) searching for analogies
D) formulating subgoals

Accepted Answer

Searching for analogies involves using solutions to similar problems to solve a current problem.

Question 11

In which case would working backward to solve a problem be an effective strategy?
A) when a problem has a well-defined endpoint
B) when a problem is unsolvable by heuristics
C) when it is necessary to change the representation of a problem
D) when a problem has multiphasic branch points

Accepted Answer

Working backward is an effective strategy when a problem has a well-defined endpoint because it allows the solver to start at the endpoint and work backward to determine the steps needed to reach that endpoint. This is commonly used in puzzles and certain mathematical problems.

Question 12

When Graham is printing copies from the computer in the computer classroom, the paper keeps jamming in the machine. He takes the paper out of the paper tray, fans it, and then flips it over, so the other side of the paper feeds first. This is the way he solves similar problems on the photocopy machine at the office where he works. In this case, Graham's method of solving the problem is consistent with the problem-solving heuristic known as
A) means-end analysis.
B) working backward.
C) trial-and-error.
D) searching for analogies.

Accepted Answer

Graham is using an analogy from a similar problem he has encountered before in order to solve the current problem. This is consistent with the problem-solving heuristic known as searching for analogies.

Question 13

When working on complex problems, a useful strategy to use is to
A) formulate subgoals, or intermediate steps toward a solution.
B) recognize the similarity between two problems.
C) recognize when the problem does not have a well-specified goal.
D) use a heuristic.

Accepted Answer

Formulating subgoals can help break down the complex problem into smaller, more manageable parts. This can make it easier to approach the problem and develop a solution. Option B may not always be applicable, and option C is not a strategy for solving the problem, but rather recognizing when a problem does not have a clear goal. Option D is a possible strategy, but not necessarily the best or only one.

Question 14

A shortcut, "rule of thumb," or guiding principle used in solving problems or making decisions is
A) an analogy.
B) trial and error.
C) algorithm.
D) a heuristic.

Accepted Answer

A heuristic is a shortcut or guiding principle that is used to solve problems or make decisions. This is different from an algorithm, which is a specific set of steps that must be followed to solve a problem. Trial and error is a method of problem-solving that involves trying different solutions until one works, while an analogy is a comparison between two things to draw a similarity. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Question 15

A strategy that is especially useful when a problem has a well-specified end point is
A) forming subgoals.
B) working backward.
C) algorithm.
D) changing the representation of the problem.

Accepted Answer

Working backward involves starting from the desired end point and systematically working backwards to the current state, which makes it extremely useful when a problem has a well-specified end point. This strategy helps to identify the steps needed to reach the goal, and it can also help to identify potential obstacles that may prevent reaching the goal. The other options, while useful in problem-solving, may not be as effective in cases where there is a specific end point.

Question 16

Salvador hates to work through the problems on his calculus assignments step-by-step, and he often tries shortcuts that might save him some time. It appears that Salvador prefers to use
A) algorithms rather than heuristics in solving calculus problems.
B) functional fixedness in solving calculus problems.
C) heuristics rather than algorithms in solving calculus problems.
D) analogies in solving calculus problems.

Accepted Answer

Heuristics are strategies that allow you to solve problems quickly and efficiently, without going through a detailed problem-solving process. They are often referred to as "rules of thumb" because they provide a quick and easy way to solve problems, without having to do a lot of thinking. Algorithms, on the other hand, are step-by-step procedures that guarantee a correct answer, but can be time-consuming to use. In this case, Salvador is looking for shortcuts, which suggests that he is using heuristics rather than algorithms to solve his calculus problems.

Question 17

Esmeralda wants to use her roommate's computer to work on her term paper. However, the roommate has password protection on the computer's boot sequence. Rather than starting at "a" and systematically testing every possible word in the English language, Esmeralda makes some educated guesses about the passwords, based on what she knows about her roommate. In this case, Esmeralda is using
A) a heuristic to get past the password protection.
B) an algorithm to get past the password protection.
C) reframing to get past the password protection.
D) representativeness to get past the password protection.

Accepted Answer

Esmeralda is using a heuristic, which is a problem-solving strategy that uses educated guesses or rules of thumb to simplify decision making. In this case, she is using her knowledge of her roommate to come up with likely password options, rather than systematically trying every possible option.

Question 18

Brandon works for a courier service. In creating his route each day he starts by selecting the address closest to the dispatch office. Once he makes that delivery he checks the remaining addresses and picks the one closest to his current location. He follows this process for all his remaining deliveries for the day. Brandon's strategy for building his daily delivery route is closest to
A) working backward.
B) availability.
C) hill climbing.
D) trial-and-error.

Accepted Answer

Brandon's strategy of selecting the closest address to his current location is an example of a hill climbing algorithm, where the algorithm chooses the next step that appears to be the closest to the goal.

Question 19

In a video game there are a number of instances where players must retrace their steps in order to reach the final solution for the game. In this situation, one of the WORST problem-solving heuristics to use would be
A) working backward.
B) searching for analogies.
C) forming subgoals.
D) hill climbing.

Accepted Answer

Hill climbing is a problem-solving heuristic where one chooses the option that seems to bring one closer to the goal without taking into account the potential consequences or drawbacks of that choice. Retracing steps in a video game often involves taking into account obstacles or challenges that were encountered before and finding a way to overcome them. Hill climbing would not be a good heuristic in this situation because it may lead the player to make choices that seem to be moving them forward but actually end up hindering their progress or making it more difficult to reach the final solution. Choices A, B, and C are all good problem-solving heuristics that can be useful in retracing steps to find a solution.

Question 20

The trial and error approach to problem solving is most effective when
A) there is a relatively large number of possible solutions.
B) there is a relatively small number of possible solutions.
C) there are no time constraints on solving the problem.
D) a solution to the problem must be found quickly.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The trial and error approach to problem...

Quiz 15: Language and Thought Part 1

Observing the similarities between a new problem to be solved and one you've successfully solved in the past is called

Seventeen-year-old Ashley is driving her brother's car when she has her first-ever flat tire. She realizes that she needs to find where the spare tire and the jack and other tools are stored in the car, remove the flat tire and install the spare tire. Ashley is approaching the problem by

Hill climbing is a good problem-solving strategy to use when

Diagrams sometimes facilitate problem-solving because they

Which of the following is NOT a common heuristic for problem-solving?

Working backward is a good strategy to follow when

The hill-climbing heuristic involves

A methodical, step-by-step procedure for trying all possible alternatives in searching for a solution to a problem is

If you solve a current problem using the solution to a previous, similar problem, which heuristic are you applying?

In which case would working backward to solve a problem be an effective strategy?

When working on complex problems, a useful strategy to use is to

A shortcut, "rule of thumb," or guiding principle used in solving problems or making decisions is

A strategy that is especially useful when a problem has a well-specified end point is

Salvador hates to work through the problems on his calculus assignments step-by-step, and he often tries shortcuts that might save him some time. It appears that Salvador prefers to use

In a video game there are a number of instances where players must retrace their steps in order to reach the final solution for the game. In this situation, one of the WORST problem-solving heuristics to use would be

The trial and error approach to problem solving is most effective when