0.  Get Ready (Attitudinal Preparation)

1.  Give a working problem definition for the problem.

• Communicate/represent the problem visually with a diagram or a sketch.
• Be able to categorize the problem (Prediction, Trouble-Shooting, Invention).
• Be able to extract a textbook style problem - as appropriate - from a word problem or story.

2.  Identify where you are now.

• In particular, identify the usable information that you have to solve this problem, and identify any information that is missing.
• You may also need to determine what you need to learn to solve the problem.

3.  Plan your solution and describe the steps in your planned solution.

• Select the appropriate theory or principles.
• Note assumptions made.

4.  Implement your plan (on a separate sheet), showing how you completed each step in your plan.

• Approaches to getting unstuck.

5.  Check your solution.

• Re-do it if necessary - using a different method if possible.
• Check units.
• Check the order of magnitude of your answer.
• Indicate the accuracy of your solution
• Verify assumptions.

6.  Evaluate your solution.