Problem-solving Wizard Gifts

math faculty

Brian wanted to call the presentation "Synergy". Paula wanted to call it "Cooperation". They could never agree.

Lateral Thinking

'We'll talk later, Ed, but for now we have a quick and dirty solution to your objections.'

The Solution!

'What's wrong with Davis?'

Illogic Tree

The Businessmen Have to Make Decisions from Many Options

"Good" "Bad" "Work on it" "Keep working - maybe it's not as bad as you think it is" "Put it to a committee" "Give up" "Make it worse" "Make it better" "Still a bad idea" "Overthink it" "Throw yourself into a pit of wild badgers" "Throw it away" "Call it done" "Sigh."

Girl does mathematical equation. Man says 'Tut! Teenagers today and their problems ...'

"We can waste time and look for a solution or...just find a scapegoat?"

"Someday she'll solve the world's problems."

'I started out as a teacher's pet, and then it kind of snowballed.'

'It was bound to happen - they're beginning to think like binary computers.'

"Why do you need so many computers?" "One for billing, one for stock control, one for human resources, one for financial management..."

Today we learned to count to one.

'I solved the problem of dead zones on my cell phone with a personal satellite,'

Calculation Board - You Are Here

'Add the numbers, divide by how many numbers you've added and there you have it-the average amount of minutes you sleep in class each day.'

"Is this a 'GOTCHA' question?"

"The numbers don't lie . . . but we do."

"Arithmetic gets a lot harder when you run out of fingers and toes."

Three businessmen using a pulley system to change a graph

Counting part time employees is the new math.

'The doctor says he's going to have to give you a few more tests...'

"Looks like our days at the think tank are numbered."

'For pete's sake Walter!! Enough with the tail, I can't read your writing!!'

"I have a huge Algebra final tomorrow. I know I'm gonna fail."

'I solve so many work problems at home.'

"You're right -- this town is big enough for the both of us."

"We only got up to three 'whys' and a 'what the hell'."

Brainstorm in progress.

"OK team, we need innovative solutions and we need 'em fast!"

"Managing a major project in these challenging times requires IMAGINATION, the FIRST thing I'd like you to imagine is that you have a team to help you."

'In this class you will learn to apply the talents of creative writing to accounting.'