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I'm from Italy and I'm 13 years old. I'm good in Math and I'm good in languages (I know Italian, English and Russian and I think I'm good at them). I'm a programmer and I know HTML, CSS, JS and Python. I've created some program (like webapp), but unfortunately my problem solving and logical thinking isn't good. I've read on the web that when you're younger, it is possible to improve problem solving abilities and logical thinking. What are some steps that I can take to improve problem solving and logical thinking ?

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    $\begingroup$ By practice, perhaps on somewhat-artificial problems arranged to challenge you somewhat, but not by accident unreasonably much. $\endgroup$
    – paul garrett
    Commented Jun 22, 2016 at 21:01
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    $\begingroup$ Can you recommend me any exercised about problem-solving/logic for improve it? $\endgroup$
    – Blind
    Commented Jun 23, 2016 at 6:53
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    $\begingroup$ Why do you say that your problem solving and logical thinking isn't good? What is the evidence? $\endgroup$
    – user173
    Commented Jun 24, 2016 at 22:51
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    $\begingroup$ @MattF. It's always good to take steps to improve problem solving abilities regardless of how good it already is. $\endgroup$
    – Saikat
    Commented Jun 25, 2016 at 5:25
  • $\begingroup$ @Blind Play Sudoku while learning about Latin squares, algorithms (especially for the programming), and elementary set theory? Games that involve math are a fun way to go about things. $\endgroup$
    – Simply Beautiful Art
    Commented Jul 8, 2016 at 1:26

4 Answers 4

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First of all I want to laud you on your knowledge of programming. You know a lot more than I did when I was your age. I tried to learn Italian after watching The Godfather but lost interest after a while because there's no one to talk in it with.

There are two types of mentalities about intelligence and success in life. Studies have shown that children who's parents praised them for being hard working do better in the long run than children who were praised for being intelligent. This is because the second group develop the mentality that they understand things because they are smart and when they have difficulty feel it's beyond their capabilities and give up, while the former group persevere. Fortunately, it's possible to change this mentality. From now on, I want you to think about problem solving skills and logical thinking as skills that can be improved with hard work, much like playing an instrument. Then, you will no longer say, "I am not good at problem solving." You'll say, "I haven't spent enough time working on improving my problem solving abilities." It's actually a massive difference in thinking and produces dramatically different results.

Now that I've gotten the mental aspect out of the way, let me tell you some of the things you can do. I too, liked programming but I soon became so impressed with problem solving that I ended up liking Mathematics much more. My advice to you will be simple and uncomplicated - Spend time solving puzzles and problems.

Now, mathematics is a wonderful platform to develop these skills. You need to work on problems which require elementary knowledge but deep thinking. Problems that appear in mathematical contest are perfect for this ! Here are some recommendations to get you started off :

Puzzles : Aha! Insight - Martin Gardner

Lady or the Tiger - Raymond Smullyan

Both of these authors have a wide body of work in recreational mathematics. If you like these books, explore their other books.

Puzzling Adventures of Dr. Ecco - Dennis Shasha

Puzzle Math - George Gamow

Problem Solving : Mathematical Circles

There's also a journal called Parabola (by UNSW) which has a problem section every issue. Try working through it. Their issues are available for free on the Internet. Bookmark that website on your Browser.

There's an interesting YouTube channel called Mind Your Decisions, which deals with tricky problems and game theory. That will be useful for you too. Subscribe to it.

If you'd like, I could recommend more books, journals, YouTube channels and podcasts about mathematics but I don't want you to get overwhelmed. Often, it's better to be concise to know exactly where to start. I have the problem of not finishing books I start because I simply have too many of them. I'm working on choosing one at a time so I can finish some of them off !

You could also try learning some strategic game like chess and Go. Try playing Sudoku. However, don't get addicted. After you've played Sudoku for about two months, it can be tempting to continue solving them but they will not continue to increase your problem solving abilities as dramatically. It's important to move on after that period. I got addicted to playing Sudoku on the bus ride and got pretty good at it. After a while, it is no longer a challenge and you hit a plateau. This doesn't happen with games like chess and Go though.

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    $\begingroup$ +1 for anything Martin Gardner or Raymond Smullyan or Sam Loyd or the Moscow Puzzles by Kordemsky $\endgroup$
    – Mitch
    Commented Jun 23, 2016 at 12:47
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    $\begingroup$ Now I will read it with calm. Anyway, It's normal that I know Italian, I'm from Italy. $\endgroup$
    – Blind
    Commented Jun 23, 2016 at 16:19
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    $\begingroup$ Thanks! Good answer! Do you think that 2048 is a good game for problem solving? $\endgroup$
    – Blind
    Commented Jun 23, 2016 at 16:24
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    $\begingroup$ @Blind I haven't played that game much, actually. If you don't mind my asking, what is the reason behind your username ? $\endgroup$
    – Saikat
    Commented Jun 24, 2016 at 0:45
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    $\begingroup$ @user230452 Do you know Blindspot's series tv? I have delete spot. Then, In html there is a effect blink too. Understand? $\endgroup$
    – Blind
    Commented Jun 24, 2016 at 7:18
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I've just happened to come across this free online course on logical and critical thinking.

Excerpt from the site's "About the course":

We are constantly being given reasons to do and believe things: to believe that we should buy a product, support a cause, accept a job, judge someone innocent or guilty, that fairness requires us to do some household chore, and so on. Assessing the reasons we are given to do or believe these things calls upon us to think critically and logically. Improve your logical and critical thinking skills

Even though we’re called upon to use our critical and logical thinking skills all the time, most of us are not that good at it. This free online course aims to help you develop and improve these skills.

You’ll learn how to:

  • identify and avoid common thinking mistakes that lead to the formation of bad beliefs;
  • recognise, reconstruct and evaluate arguments;
  • use basic logical tools to analyse arguments;
  • and apply those tools in areas including science, moral theories and law.

Associate Professor Tim Dare and Dr Patrick Girard from the University of Auckland take us on an informative and engaging eight week journey through the worlds of logical and critical thinking helping us to avoid these common obstacles and fallacies and improve our logical and critical thinking skills.

Throughout the course, Tim and Patrick provide videos, articles, and assignments to lead us through the thickets of logical and critical thinking.

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  • $\begingroup$ Is it completely free? $\endgroup$
    – Blind
    Commented Jun 23, 2016 at 8:29
  • $\begingroup$ @Blind I believe so (you have to pay if you want a certificate). $\endgroup$
    – Jessica B
    Commented Jun 23, 2016 at 13:33
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    $\begingroup$ I copied a part of the course description from the site, so that the nature of the course is described on the site and it would be more feasible to relocate the course in case the link stops working. Of course, feel free to revert if you do not like the change. $\endgroup$
    – quid
    Commented Jun 25, 2016 at 12:31
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The Math Stack Exchange has some great ideas for math habits that improve your mathematical practice.

Some of the ideas mentioned:

  • Know the items in your toolkit.
  • When learning about a new concept, visualize examples of the concept, and visualize examples of things that are not-quite-the-concept.
  • When learning about theorems, try to come up with counter-examples -- and understand which piece of the theorem's assumptions disqualifies each counter-example.
  • Simplify a problem until you can solve the simplified problem, then modify your solution to deal with the complication(s) you removed.
  • Make notes about what is confusing.
  • It is better to make an obvious mistake -- especially if you label it obviously -- than to rely on a concept you do not understand.

Some other questions on this Stack Exchange have ideas that can help, as well:

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As was pointed out, you have millions of way of improving problem solving and logical thinking skills. No answer could be comprehensive. Thus I insert my 5 cents.

There is a course “Effective Thinking Through Mathematics” by Michael Starbird from the University of Texas at Austin. It offers several rather easy puzzles. A special feature of this course is that it demonstrates more general problem solving methods using these puzzles as examples. Students are told to observe their process of thinking and solving so they notice which strategy turned out useful. As a result, they can even invent their own strategies tailored to their way of thinking.

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