Problem Solving

When we attempt to solve problems we tend to create mental barriers which can make solving the problem more difficult. There are four barriers: irrelevant information, functional fixedness, mental set and unnecessary constraints. Below are 4 problems for you to test which barriers get in your way of solving problems.

Problem 1

Fifteen percent of the people in Topeka have unlisted telephone numbers. You select 200 names at random from the Topeka phone book. How many of these people can be expected to have unlisted phone numbers?

  
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Problem 2

You are given three jugs with different volumes and an unlimited supply of water from a near by tap. You are required to use these jugs to measure out the desired quantity of water.  

  

Problem 3                                                                     Problem 4

Using the items below, attach the candle to the           Without lifting your pencil from the

wall so it doesn't drip on the table below it.                  paper, draw no more than 4 lines 

                                                                                      that will cross through all 9 dots.

            

For the solutions click here