Problem

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A problem is an obstacle which makes it difficult to achieve a desired goal, objective or purpose. It refers to a situation, condition, or issue that is yet unresolved. In a broad sense, a problem exists when an individual becomes aware of a significant difference between what actually is and what is desired. Every problem requires an answer or solution.

[edit] Examples

• In mathematics, a problem is a question about mathematical objects and structures requiring explanation and proof. These questions range from very specific ("What are the real solutions of x² − 1 = 0?") to quite general ("Why do these numbers appear in apparently different situations? Formulate and prove a conjecture.")

• In society, a problem can refer to particular social issues, which if solved would yield social benefits, such as increased harmony or productivity, and conversely diminished hostility and disruption.

• In business, a problem is a difference between actual conditions and those that are required or desired. Often, the causes of a problem are not known, in which case root cause analysis is employed to find the causes and identify corrective actions.

• In chess, a problem is a puzzle, set by somebody using chess pieces on a chess board, for others to get instruction or intellectual satisfaction from determining the solution.

[edit] Etymology

From Ancient Greek πρόβλημα (problema) "anything thrown forward, hindrance, obstacle, anything projecting, a headland, promontory", from προβάλλω (proballo) "to throw or lay something in front of someone, to put forward", from prefix προ- (pro-) "in front of" + βάλλω (ballo) "to throw, to cast, to hurl".

[edit] See also

• Problem solving
• Problematization
• Open problem - List of unsolved problems
• Heuristic
• How to Solve It
• Optimization problem
• Decision problem
• Questioncs:Problém

da:Problem de:Problem es:Problema eo:Problemo fr:Problème io:Problemo lt:Problema hu:Probléma nl:Probleemru:Проблема sq:Problemi simple:Question sk:Problém sl:Problem sv:Fråga zh:问题

This page uses content from the English-language version of Wikipedia. The original article was at Problem. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Psychology Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.