Problem Solving

Definition

Problem solving is the cognitive process of identifying a goal, generating possible paths to it, evaluating them, and acting. It draws on working memory, pattern recognition, and flexible reasoning — all of which word puzzles exercise.

Why it matters

Wordle is a compact problem-solving environment with immediate feedback, making it useful practice for the general skills of framing, hypothesis generation, and evaluation under uncertainty.

Examples

• Framing the puzzle as shrinking a candidate set.
• Generating and testing hypotheses with each guess.

Best practices

• Define the goal precisely before acting.
• Generate several options, then evaluate before committing.

Frequently asked