How to develop problem solving skills | IIT prof's advice

In this video, I discuss how to go about developing problem solving skills. This video is meant for school students particularly between Standard 6 and 10.

Main points discussed:
1. Approach problem solving like a game
2. Actively pursue challenges to level up
3. Do an extended post-mortem analysis of the problems and the solutions you couldn't solve
4. Analyse your thought processes for the problems that you could solve
5. Give a lot of importance to problem posing
6. Treat the study of mathematics and science as a device to develop your brain and not as a task

Disclaimer: I am a faculty member in the Mechanical Engineering Department of IIT Kharagpur. However, the views expressed in this video are my own and do not necessarily represent those of my Department or my Institute.

[Goat-Fusionk]

Things that I learnt from this video :- 1. Read by yourself to understand more deeply.
2. Do postmortem analysis - From Failures :- Try to find the mistakes and Flaws, From Success :- Analyse by what we got the answer.
3. Take questions as fun ( Higher authorities makes questions as fun for us in exams ).
4. Make your own questions
5. Find symmetry in question
6. Also don't always find symmetry in questions there can be non symmetry and irregularities in questions.
7. See the beauty of Science
Happy Diwali and Thank you so much Sir❤

[kuramaaaaaaaaa]

the problem is that the students in the grades 6th to 8th often are influenced by their parents and tutors to mug up the theories word to word as in textbooks, the thinking skill isn't developed in them until they get a right mentor/teacher who gives them problems that aren't on textbooks so they've got no choice but to think outside of the textbook using the same concepts but correctly and with consciousness. so unless a thinking habit and curiosity in students is created, there's so much lower chances that a 6th std student might be watching these kind of educational videos and genuinely try to improve

[sundernarayan]

I am so glad that your last two videos have been for school children. It is so important to inculcate the scientific thinking early in school. Your point about exploring both the reason for success and failure is on the spot. This is a habit which will be needed not just when one goes to college or research but also in your work place. As a coach, two key questions we ask is what worked for you and what did not work for you. You also very nicely pointed out about not giving up when things do not go your way. About making questions, you gave an example which I could resonate to. I used to teach my younger sister and especially in maths, I used to make up questions for her to practice. I used to do that for myself too since the number of sample questions in a book were limited. And finally you were right on the fact that in doing what you have told you learn about yourself which is critical. Nobody knows you better than your own self. I would like to end by giving my example. I was and still am very bad at mugging up and there were times I would forget formulae. My father used to always tell me to focus on fundamentals. That made me learn the derivations of the formula. This helped me especially in exams when I forgot a formula. There were times when I derived the formula in the exam and then went on to solve the problem. I understand it could be time consuming but I practiced so much that I had enough time to derive the formula and solve it.
P.S. - Even I was told about the story of Gauss when we were being taught the formula = n(n+1)/2

[sohansingh]

Break the problem into isolated modules and use them as weapons to tackle something new. Each module has a reason to be applied. Try to break the new problem into the pre-existing modules. If you have solved sufficient good questions you will find out all the problems are simply the amalgamation of your pre-learnt modules. This is how I ended up at IIT Kanpur!

[kavitham]

Extraordinary input sir for the School Children. Like a plant seeding, till the fruit yielding. This is about their way of life at Science and Maths. Hat's off to your effort for the Children Sir.

[Avegeania]

This is absolute gold, especially treating problems as a trove of knowledge waiting to be unlocked.

[tanishkhandal]

I am in my final year of engineering this year, I have always been looking to articulate all of what sir said together. This video will really help me to upskill myself by bridging the gap between my life problems and the actual engineering level problems. I will not get deceived and demotivated looking at challenges after this video for sure. Thank you sir.

[vadalaachyutha]

1)know urself-wheather problem right or wrong know the key what made u solve or not able to solve problem
2)try to look at symmetry but think what happens if its not symmetrical
3) after class, try to learn concepts by own from books, them try basic questions and move to advance
4)try to make own questions from text or problems, combine multiple concepts in a questions means
me: teach concepts to urself after reading textbook in a blank paper
Thankyou so much sir

[Question-Research-wjwr]

Process which you are teaching I can see your effort and even you too is heading towards perfection... through your techniques...👍🏻

[mohitdhakad]

this is called knowledge without any hidden motive. thankyou sir..

[eternal]

I am watching this video in my drop year ( I didn't prepare in 10 + 2, because my parents didn't want to admit me to an offline coaching and I thought it was impossible to prepare on my own, I regret this a little but okay). I feel so sad that, I was part of this education system, it killed my curiosity. Believe me when I say this, as a kid I was very bright and curious, I used to watch space documentaries at the age of watching cartoons. But like majority of the schools i was forced to do rot learning again and again which completely changed my opinion about studies, I lost all of my interest. Now I am sitting here thinking what would have happened if I didn't lose my old self. So my only advice to my little brothers and sisters out there watching this video just like me, dont let your interests die, explore while you can. Dont get overpowered by the system. Search for wonderful videos like this which can actually help you do better both academically and mentally.

Great video Sir!!

[dilipvedula]

Sir ji, totally appreciate your noble intentions but I differ with what you are saying. Only 2 things are needed.1) pay attention to what you are doing 2) be at it and not give up, everything takes time . Everyone’s life experiences are different and learns different things. No need to overcomplicate and create self doubt in school

[RajeevKumar-mksg]

You are talking the juice that lies below the stiff skin of a delicious fruit. As a guardian of my son, preparing for these exams, I myself got much inspired for guiding him.

[ashtag]

I'm grateful that there is some PPL to talk about issues like this. But it's a shame it has not reached to those who need still or maybe not in right time we should help to share this msg to All students around india❤❤

[bleedphysics]

Sir again an extremely fundamental video! The extremely minute details are absolutely true for all problem solving skills on Earth!! 🙏🙏🙏A lot of regards for you Sir! Please help all of us young people with the superb advices that you give from your experience. Thanks a lot Sir and wish you a very happy Diwali to you and your family 🙏🙏🙏

[boring]

Sir, i have seen your blog articles.
We readers will love it if you write more often.
About your problem and life learnings

[pastelteaaniiii]

9:27 this point absolutely holds true for me. In class I understand everything and that leads me to think I have been taught everything by the teachers and I become very complacent. Come exam time, I am totally wrecked because they skip half the syllabus and advanced numericals. I also have do not focus on one topic and hop around multiple topics leaving no time for revision or deep understanding.

[kumarsubhambili]

Although this video is meant for school students, particularly between Standard 6 and 10. I am finding it very useful after graduating.

[shubhamrajpallu]

This is something really important to be known by a good student.
Many students join tutions when school teaching isn't enough for them. That may help achieve good marks but their is no development in their skills.
Same happened to me also. I wish
I had got this type of guidance atleast in my JEE prearation stage.
This video needs to be seen by all the students who are really seeing forward to study at higher levels.

[MrBEYOND-wifh]

❤I am so happy after finding you and h c verma sir on youtube. Thank you so much sir 🙏