...the subject of problem solving, as viewed by this author, is more than just a disconnected list of brain teasers and recreations. It is a way of life. Scientists of every stripe - chemists, physicists, psychologists, social engineers, and many others - ply their trade by considering a set of data, deciding what techniques are relevant to these data, and then "solving a problem". It is this view of problem solving that will be promulgated in the present book. From the Preface The purpose of this book is to teach the basic principles of problem solving. This includes both mathematical problems and non-mathematical problems. This book will help students to: translate verbal discussions into analytical data, learn problem solving methods for attacking collections of analytical questions or data, build a personal arsenal of solutions and internalized problem solving techniques, become "armed problem solvers", ready to do battle with a variety of puzzles in different areas of life. Taking a direct and practical approach to the subject matter. Krantz's book stands apart from others like it in that it incorporates exercises throughout the text.
After many solved problems are given, a "Challenge" problem is presented. Additional problems are included for readers to tackle at the end of each chapter. There are more than 350 problems in all. A Solutions Manual to most end-of-chapter exercises is available.