The Farmer and the Goose—a Generalization

Abstract

Central to most problem-solving strategies is the desire to state and solve a problem in its most general form. Unfortunately, often the most general form of a problem is not easy to state. Moreover, the proof of the generalization is often beyond the abilities of many of our students. So like the idea of “synthesis” in test construction, generalizing often becomes that part of the problem-solving process that is admired from afar but seldom used.