When solving engineering problems, it is often useful to have a well defined strategy for solving the problem before ever solving the problem. Solving problems can be broken down into several steps:
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- Draw a diagram
- Include known values and unknowns
- Identify the system
- Identify unknowns to be solved
- Decide on a model for the system
- Perform degree of freedom analysis (if applicable)
- Write out assumptions
- Write down equations to be used (without numbers substituted)
- Obtain answer
- Substitute numbers into equations
- Always carry through units in calculations
- Organize Solution
- Solution organized from top to bottom of the page
- Any plots should have axes labeled with appropriate units if needed
- If outside data used, identify source
- Check Answer
- Correct units/dimension?
- Does the amplitude of the answer make sense?
- Are any changes in the correct direction?
