✍️ A mathematician published a book in 1945 that might make you dramatically better at using AI.

His name was George Pólya, and his idea was surprisingly simple: solving difficult problems isn’t just about being smart. It’s about knowing how to approach them.

He broke problem-solving into four steps. Eighty years later, they’re still incredibly useful, especially when working with AI.

1. Understand the problem. Define exactly what you’re trying to solve. What do you know, what are you assuming, and what’s still missing?

2. Devise a plan. Look for similar problems, explore different approaches, or break the challenge into smaller pieces.

3. Carry out the plan. Work through each step and check whether the reasoning actually holds up.

4. Look back. Did it work? Could you have done it more simply? What can you learn for next time?

The fourth step is the one people often neglect. They get an answer and move on without checking whether it makes sense or understanding why it worked.

Here’s a Clau…

@aitopics