# George Polya ### Analysis - Key Questions - what is the unknown - what is the data - what is the condition - name separate parts of condition “clauses” in the mind - make sure to fully understand the problem ### Solving - identify principal parts - key questions - where should I start - what could I perceive - how can an idea be helpful - what can i gain by doing so ### General Heuristics - analyzing - you must start with rough, merely plausible intuitive guesses / ideas - synthesizing - make exact & tangible the precise elements which compose your plan & problem - work from progressive or regressive reasoning, you can solve from either start or end of problem - when you are stuck - be creative with plausible guesses to analyze problem - vary your approaches & datum focus dynamically in intimately novel ways - but don’t ask extraneous questions when you’re onto something – strike when iron is hot - always 1st check for verifiability, w/o check = requires diligence to save time, with check = can move faster ### Verifying - when stress testing or seeking to refute a rule, test the most extreme / unusual cases ### Breaks - at least finalize some analytical finding / achievement, before leaving - but know when to let subconscious work brew