How to Solve It

find it.” Or: “If you cannot solve the proposed problem,
try to solve first some related problem. Could you imagine
a more accessible related problem?"

1.1 First principle: Understand the prob-

lem
“Understand the problem” is often neglected as being ob-
vious and is not even mentioned in many mathematics
classes. Yet students are often stymied in their efforts
to solve it, simply because they don't understand it fully,
or even in part. In order to remedy this oversight, Pólya
taught teachers how to prompt each student with appro-
priate questions,[7] depending on the situation, such as:

• What are you asked to find or show?[8]

• Can you restate the problem in your own words?
• Can you think of a picture or a diagram that might
help you understand the problem?
• Is there enough information to enable you to find a
solution?
• Do you understand all the words used in stating the
problem?
First edition • Do you need to ask a question to get the answer?
(publ. Princeton University Press)

The teacher is to select the question with the appropriate

How to Solve It (1945) is a small volume by mathemati- level of difficulty for each student to ascertain if each stu-
cian George Pólya describing methods of problem solv- dent understands at their own level, moving up or down
ing.[1] the list to prompt each student, until each one can respond
with something constructive.

1 Four principles
How to Solve It suggests the following steps when solving
a mathematical problem:
1. First, you have to understand the problem.[2]
[3]
2. After understanding, then make a plan.
1.2 Second principle: Devise a plan
Pólya mentions that there are many reasonable ways to
solve problems.[3] The skill at choosing an appropriate
strategy is best learned by solving many problems. You
will find choosing a strategy increasingly easy. A partial
list of strategies is included:

3. Carry out the plan.[4] • Guess and check[9]

4. Look back on your work.[5] How could it be better? • Make an orderly list[10]
• Eliminate possibilities[11]
If this technique fails, Pólya advises:[6] “If you can't solve
a problem, then there is an easier problem you can solve: • Use symmetry[12]

1
2 5 NOTES

• Consider special cases[13] 3 Influence

• Use direct reasoning
• It has been translated into several languages and has
• Solve an equation [14] sold over a million copies, and has been continuously
in print since its first publication.
Also suggested: • Marvin Minsky said in his paper Steps Toward Ar-
tificial Intelligence that “everyone should know the
• Look for a pattern[15] work of George Pólya on how to solve problems.”
[27]

• Draw a picture [16]

• Pólya’s book has had a large influence on mathemat-
• Solve a simpler problem[17] ics textbooks as evidenced by the bibliographies for
mathematics education.[28]
• Use a model[18]
• Russian physicist Zhores I. Alfyorov, (Nobel laure-
• Work backward[19] ate in 2000) praised it, saying he was very pleased
with Pólya’s famous book.
• Use a formula[20]
• Russian inventor Genrich Altshuller developed an
• Be creative[21]
elaborate set of methods for problem solving known
• Use your head/noggin[22] as TRIZ, which in many aspects reproduces or par-
allels Pólya’s work.

1.3 Third principle: Carry out the plan

4 See also
This step is usually easier than devising the plan.[23] In
general, all you need is care and patience, given that you • Heuristic
have the necessary skills. Persist with the plan that you
have chosen. If it continues not to work, discard it and • How to Solve It By Computer
choose another. Don't be misled; this is how mathematics
is done, even by professionals. • Inventor’s paradox

1.4 Fourth principle: Review/extend 5 Notes

Pólya mentions that much can be gained by taking the
[1] Pólya, George (1945). How to Solve It. Princeton Univer-
time to reflect and look back at what you have done, what
sity Press. ISBN 0-691-08097-6.
worked and what didn't.[24][25] Doing this will enable you
to predict what strategy to use to solve future problems, [2] Pólya 1957 pp.6-8
if these relate to the original problem.
[3] Pólya 1957 pp.8-12

[4] Pólya 1957 pp.12-14

2 Heuristics
[5] Pólya 1957 pp.14-15
The book contains a dictionary-style set of heuristics, [6] Pólya 1957 p114
many of which have to do with generating a more acces-
sible problem. For example: [7] Pólya 1957 p33
The technique “have I used everything” is perhaps most [8] Pólya 1957 p214
applicable to formal educational examinations (e.g., n
men digging m ditches) problems. [9] Pólya 1957 p99
The book has achieved “classic” status because of its con- [10] Pólya 1957 p2
siderable influence (see the next section).
Other books on problem solving are often related to more [11] Pólya 1957 p94
creative and less concrete techniques. See lateral think- [12] Pólya 1957 p199
ing, mind mapping, brainstorming, and creative problem
solving. [13] Pólya 1957 p190
 3

[14] Pólya 1957 p172 Pólya advises teachers that asking stu-
dents to immerse themselves in routine operations only,
instead of enhancing their imaginative / judicious side is
inexcusable.

[15] Pólya 1957 p108

[16] Pólya 1957 pp103-108

[17] Pólya 1957 p114 Pólya notes that 'human superiority con-
sists in going around an obstacle that cannot be overcome
directly'

[18] Pólya 1957 p105, p29-32, for example, Pólya discusses

the problem of water flowing into a cone as an example of
what is required to visualize the problem, using a figure.

[19] Pólya 1957 p105, p225

[20] Pólya 1957 pp141-148. Pólya describes the method of

analysis

[21] Pólya 1957 p172 (Pólya advises that this requires that the
student have the patience to wait until the bright idea ap-
pears (subconsciously).)

[22] Pólya 1957 pp149. In the dictionary entry 'Pedantry &

mastery' Pólya cautions pedants to 'always use your own
brains first'

[23] Pólya 1957 p.35

[24] Pólya 1957 p.36

[25] Pólya 1957 pp.14-19

[26] Diagrammatic Reasoning site

[27] Minsky, Marvin. “Steps Toward Artificial Intelligence”..

[28] Schoenfeld, Alan H. (1992). D. Grouws, ed. “Learning

to think mathematically: Problem solving, metacognition,
and sense-making in mathematics” (PDF). Handbook for
Research on Mathematics Teaching and Learning. New
York: MacMillan: 334–370..

6 References
• Pólya, George (1957). How to Solve It. Garden City,
NY: Doubleday. p. 253.

7 External links
• More information on Pólya can be found here.

• Softpanorama page about the value of the book in

programming
4 8 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

8 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

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and Anonymous: 49

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