Re: 'plug & chug' problems

[Hugh Haskell <hhaskell@MINDSPRING.COM>]

At 13:49 -0400 7/25/02, John S. Denker wrote:
> I'll give you a big hint:  There are two ways of doing the
> problem:
>  -- The clever way, and
>  -- the plug&chug way, which takes about 100 times longer.

I typically find that I don't see the "clever" way until after I have
done all or almost all of the "brute force and ignorance" way. But
let me tell you, a clever way found in this manner tends to stay with
you, because you have seen the alternative and it is grim!

> The professors were quite blunt about it:  they went over
> the problem in class and explained that it was intended to
> be an unforgettable lesson that being clever pays off.
Elbert Hubbard must be spinning in his grave!

Hugh
--

Hugh Haskell
<mailto:haskell@ncssm.edu>
<mailto:hhaskell@mindspring.com>

(919) 467-7610

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