The three questions of "understanding"

Before writing even a single formula, you must really understand what the problem is asking you. Read the text at least twice. Then ask yourself, one after another, three very simple questions.

In short — The three questions of "understanding"

1. What are the data? Which numbers, conditions, geometric objects are already known?
2. What is the unknown? What must I find, calculate or prove? Give it a name ($x$, $h$, $\alpha$, $S$…).
3. Is there a drawing or a diagram that helps? If the problem is about a geometric figure, draw it. If it is about relationships, make a table or a graph.

Good rule: if you cannot restate the problem in your own words, you have not understood it yet.

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Topics: Working method
Concepts: Data and unknowns · Problem solving
Skills: Modelling