A Note on Unsolvable Problems

Ever find yourself frustrated by a problem that you can't solve?  No, not that you don't want to solve (because we know that just doesn't happen), but that you actually can't solve?  Carrie and I have put together a list of reasons why we'd consider a problem unsolvable.  If you ever find yourself confronted by a problem(s) that meets this criteria, please email your project manager with a list of the problems you consider unsolvable.  You can easily do this by copying and pasting the problems from your solution list into a new Excel document.  Just a heads up, if you find yourself intensely staring at your screen for any period of time over ten minutes, take a look at this list to see if you can save yourself the headache.

• Web Based
• When a problem requires the use of a website.
• Activity/Observation Based
• If a question is based on an observation or the completion of a physical activity.
• Data Insufficient Questions
• If there is not enough information in a question for it to be solved.
• Experiment Based
• If a problem requires you to conduct an experiment in order to arrive at your own unique answer.
• Project Based
• If you are required to work on a project over a noted period of time that will result in a unique answer.
• Software Dependent
• When you are asked to solve a problem using software that is no longer available.  If the software is available and you don't have access to it, please consult your project manager before attempting to purchase any kind of software.  Chegg may not reimburse for it.
• Questions Involving Data Collection
• If a question asks you to compile and show large amounts of data from either real life or online sources in order to arrive at an answer.
• Opinion-Based or Personal 
• If the question asks you to give your opinion on something or relate it to a personal experience, you do not need to solve the problem. This is different, though, than if a business text were to ask you to think through an ethical dilemma or something of that nature. You should approach those in a more general way.