external representations, working problems backwards, and focusing on a simplified problem that
is similar to a more complex one. Being a successful problem solver is not solely dependent on
having the ability to apply these general strategies. Often one must have a thorough understanding
of concepts that are important to understanding the problem at hand and may have to be skilled at
strategies that are content specific in order to continue to the next stages of problem solution. Once
strategies are decided on it is time to proceed to the next component of the problem solving process
where one anticipates possible outcomes and acts on these strategies.