Elimination

Definition

Elimination refers to the process of removing or getting rid of something, especially waste products or unwanted materials from the body or a system. It is a crucial component of problem-solving strategies, as it involves identifying and removing unnecessary or irrelevant information to arrive at the desired solution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Elimination is a key step in the problem-solving strategy, as it helps to focus on the essential information and remove distractions or irrelevant details.
2. Effective elimination involves carefully examining the problem, identifying the given information, and determining which elements are necessary to reach the desired solution.
3. Eliminating unnecessary information can simplify the problem and make it easier to understand, allowing for more efficient problem-solving.
4. Elimination is often used in conjunction with other problem-solving strategies, such as substitution or simplification, to transform a complex problem into a more manageable form.
5. The ability to effectively eliminate irrelevant information is a valuable skill in mathematics and other problem-solving domains, as it helps to streamline the problem-solving process and improve the likelihood of finding a successful solution.

Review Questions

• Explain how the elimination strategy can be used to simplify a problem in the context of 9.1 Use a Problem Solving Strategy.
  • In the context of 9.1 Use a Problem Solving Strategy, the elimination strategy can be used to simplify a problem by identifying and removing unnecessary or irrelevant information. By carefully examining the given information and determining which elements are essential to the solution, the problem can be transformed into a more manageable form. This allows the problem-solver to focus on the key components and apply other problem-solving techniques, such as substitution or simplification, more effectively. Eliminating unnecessary details helps to streamline the problem-solving process and increases the likelihood of finding a successful solution.
• Describe how the elimination strategy can be used in conjunction with other problem-solving techniques to address a problem in 9.1 Use a Problem Solving Strategy.
  • In the context of 9.1 Use a Problem Solving Strategy, the elimination strategy can be used in conjunction with other problem-solving techniques to address a complex problem. For example, after identifying and eliminating irrelevant information through the elimination strategy, the problem-solver may then apply substitution to replace certain elements with simpler or more manageable forms. Alternatively, they may use simplification to break down the remaining components into smaller, more manageable parts. By combining the elimination strategy with other problem-solving approaches, the problem-solver can systematically address the various aspects of the problem, leading to a more efficient and effective solution.
• Analyze how the ability to effectively eliminate irrelevant information can contribute to successful problem-solving in the context of 9.1 Use a Problem Solving Strategy.
  • In the context of 9.1 Use a Problem Solving Strategy, the ability to effectively eliminate irrelevant information is a crucial skill that can contribute to successful problem-solving. By carefully examining the problem and identifying the essential elements, the problem-solver can remove distractions and focus on the core components that are necessary to reach the desired solution. This streamlining of the problem-solving process allows for more efficient application of other techniques, such as substitution or simplification, as the problem-solver is not burdened by extraneous details. Furthermore, the elimination of unnecessary information can reveal underlying patterns or relationships within the problem, enabling the problem-solver to better understand the problem and develop more effective strategies for finding a solution. Overall, the skillful use of the elimination strategy is a valuable asset in the problem-solving process outlined in 9.1 Use a Problem Solving Strategy.

Related terms

Substitution:

The act of replacing one thing with another, often used in problem-solving to simplify or transform a problem into a more manageable form.

Simplification:

The process of making something less complex or complicated, often by removing unnecessary elements or breaking it down into smaller, more manageable parts.

Assumption: A statement or belief that is taken to be true without proof, which can be used to make inferences or draw conclusions in problem-solving.