Class 1

1
Old Business Return surprise quizzes Computer
Environment Readiness how did it go? Party
Sunday night Nov 7 either in Westborough or
Worcester How much time do you spend outside of
class?
Calendar Today Solving New But Related Problems
Willingham pp 448 469 Monday What makes
an expert Willingham pp 470 483 Thursday
EXAM
Last Assignment How did it go? Can Computers
Think?

• New Business
• Talk about key concepts
• Do some simple problems
• Work toward a sheet that lets you do a survey
  test your friends.

2
Key Concepts Surface Similarity Two problems
have the same elements - theyre both about
doctors and tumors for instance. Structural
Similarity Two problems have the same
underlying solution radiation and dictators in
the example on page 452-454. High Surface
Similarity is recognizable by most people so
problems with this similarity are
solvable. Example Weve been doing logic
problems. What is relationship to a new logic
problem in same format? What is relationship to
this logic problem with a different
format? Functional Fixedness we concentrate on
the function defined for an object rather than
looking beyond that obvious function.

• Handouts
• The Golden Games
• Flower Children
• Last page of this slide-set as homework.

3
Friend/Roommate Problem Youve had a fight with
a friend You said something you shouldnt have,
then he/she said something, and it all escalated.
This is a problem. What can you do to solve
this problem? What steps should you
take? Youve had a fight with your
roommate/parents You said something you
shouldnt have, then he/she said something, and
it all escalated. This is a problem. Is this
the same problem as the first one? How is it the
same or different? What can you do to solve
this problem? What steps should you take?
4

• Hanoi/London Problem
• HANOI Youre asked to get 3 rings from one post
  to another You are required to traverse a
  problem space, getting the 3 rings from one
  position to another.
• LONDON Youre asked to get 3 (or 5 as given in
  the book) rings from one random position to
  another.
• But note, You must think it thru before moving
  anything there are no false moves when you do
  the puzzle.
• How is this the same as the last problem?
• How is it different from the last problem?
• Is this surface or structural similarity?

5
Luchins Water Jar Problem You are provided with
three measuring jars, a water tap, and a drain.
From this, determine how to get a certain amount
of water.
Can a computer solve this problem?
6

• Luchins Water Jar Problem
• Try this problem on 5 of your friends.
• Start in a quiet place get their full
  attention.
• Give them problems 2 6 in that order.
• How do they do problems 7 8?
• How do they do 9 cant use regular formula?
• How do they do 10 11 the formula used in 2
  6 or a simpler way?

Whats your hypothesis? What do you expect
people to do?
Hand in a report that discusses how your subjects
did when faced with surface and structural
similarity.