Positive Problem Solving

All of us have a pretty good handle on solving our everyday problems, but there are times when we come face to face with a really huge problem that seems to defy all solutions. At times, a crisis at work, an ugly downturn in business, or a messed up relationship may give us a feeling that this is more than what we can handle. What do we do to come out of such a crisis situation?

First of all, irrespective of the severity of the crisis, we need to convince ourselves that a solution to this problem exists. To find this solution, we need to work with cool mind to gather information about the issue at hand, generate ideas about how to resolve it, and take bold steps towards the solution. Instead, if we are not convinced at the outset that a solution exists, we won’t be able to reach it. You may ask, "How do I keep the faith when there is no possible solution in sight?" Think of a puzzle like a crossword, maze or Sudoku. You do not see its solution as you start working on it, but you are sure that a solution certainly exists. In the same way, imagine a vivid picture of an invisible solution that will reveal itself with time. As you go about finding it, you may be surprised to discover not only the solution alone, but also multiple possible ways leading to the solution.

As an example, let us do a mental exercise to solve the following problem. There is a story of  a father who leaves some camels for his three sons, with a will that states that the camels should be divided as follows:

• The eldest son should get half of the camels.
• The middle son should be given 1/3 of the camels.
• The youngest son should be given 1/9 of the camels.

And when the sons count the camels, they find that there are 17 camels. As it is not possible to divide 17 by 2, 3, and 9, how do they execute their father's will? Isn't is a tough problem to crack with no possible solution? 

The Wise Man's Solution

The story proposes an interesting way to reach the solution of this problem. The three sons decided to go to a wise man for advice. ‪ The wise man listened patiently about the will. After thinking carefully about it, he came up with the following solution. He added one of his camels to the 17 camels. That increased the total count to 18. Now, he started executing the deceased father’s will.

• Half of 18 = 9. So he gave the eldest son 9 camels.
• 1/3rd of 18 = 6. So he gave the middle son 6 camels.
• 1/9th of 18 = 2. So he gave the youngest son 2 camels.

‪Now add this up: 9 plus 6 plus 2 is 17 and this leaves one camel that the wise man brought, so he took it back!

The Mathematical Solution

‪The wise man's way to reach the solution was simple, but it may seem that this approach became possible only because he had access to a required resource, an extra camel, and there are times when we may not have such a resource available.

Going beyond the original story, here I present another way to reach the solution, which becomes possible by using some simple school mathematics:

• Find the exact number camels each son should get as per the will
• Eldest son should get 17/2 = 8.5 camels
• Middle son should get 17/3 = 5.7 camels
• Youngest son should get 17/9 = 1.9 camels
• Now add up these numbers. 8.5 + 5.7 + 1.9 = 16. So we have one spare camel at this point.
• Divide this spare camel in the same ratio - you get 0.5, 0.3, and 0.1. Adding this will round up the number of camels to be given to each son to nearest integer. So, it becomes 9, 6, and 2 camels for the three sons. 

No Fractions Solution

What is they did not know fractions? There is another way to solve it using whole numbers alone.

• Find out whole number share of each son
• Eldest son should get 17/2 = 8 camels
• Middle son should get 17/3 = 5 camels
• Youngest son should get 17/9 = 1 camels
•  Now add up these numbers. 8 + 5 + 1 = 14. So we are left with three camels at this point.
• Divide these three in the same way:
• Eldest son gets 3/2 = 1 more camels
• Middle son gets 3/3 = 1 more camels
• Youngest son gets the remaining 1 camel
•  So we arrive at the same solution - 8, 6, 2 using a different way.

This interesting example illustrates the power of belief. Let us attempt to solve the most difficult problem with a firm belief and positive mindset, and it may open up more than one ways to reach the solution.

Stop reading at this point and try to apply it to the biggest problem nagging you. Find that extra camel that will help solve your problem.

How did it go? Did it work ?

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Thanks a lot Gokul for sending the inspiring story.