Problem Solving Strategies:

In developing problem-solving strategies, six basic steps are commonly used:

1. Read the problem carefully at least twice. Be sure you understand the nature of the problem before proceeding further.

2. Draw a suitable diagram with appropriate labels and coordinate axes, if needed.

3. As you examine what is being asked in the problem, identify the basic physical principle (or principles) that are involved, listing the knowns and unknowns.

4.Select a basic relationship or derive an equation that can be used to find the unknown, and symbolically solve the equation for the unknown.

5. Substitute the given values with the appropriate units into the equation.

6. Obtain a numerical value for the unknown. The problem is verified and receives a check mark if the following questions can be properly answered: Do the units match? Is the answer reasonable? Is the plus or minus sign proper or meaningful?