The hottest Problem Solving Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Education Topics

Problem 83: Packing Robots [Brilliant]

Technology Made Simple • 79 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. The post discusses a problem about packing robots with specific arrangement requirements that can help in developing problem-solving techniques.
  2. It emphasizes the importance of consistency in learning by providing weekly problems for practice and solutions.
  3. The author encourages sharing content and referrals as they help in personal growth and reaching more people.

[Solution]Problem 77: Gas Station [Microsoft]

Technology Made Simple • 79 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. The problem involves solving for the starting gas station's index on a circular route given gas and cost arrays.
  2. The solution should account for the unique constraints and requirements of the problem, such as unlimited gas, specific costs, and potential limitations in traveling the circuit.
  3. By improving fundamental coding concepts, problem-solving skills, and practicing with similar scenarios, tackling complex interview problems becomes more manageable.

6 YouTube channels for developing your problem solving skills [Technique Tuesdays]

Technology Made Simple • 79 implied HN points • 08 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. Study underlying concepts and practice problems to improve problem-solving skills
  2. Watching experts solve problems can help you learn and progress in your own problem-solving journey
  3. Subscribing to specific YouTube channels like Byte by Bte, Back to Back SWE, Abdul Bari, Ryan Schachte, MindYourDecisions, and TED-Ed can provide valuable insights and techniques for sharpening your problem-solving skills
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[Solution]Problem 83: Packing Robots [Brilliant]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. To solve complex problems efficiently, focus on variable reduction, ordering, and systematic problem solving.
  2. Practice quick problem-solving to excel in interviews, especially as the trend steers away from traditional Leetcode questions.
  3. Mastering the right methods for solving simpler questions can greatly help in tackling more challenging problems in the future.

How to handle an IT escape room

Bad Software Advice • 82 implied HN points • 06 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. Working in IT can feel like being in an escape room, where you face unexpected challenges and obstacles every day.
  2. There is often tension between teams, like developers and IT, due to their different goals and priorities.
  3. To solve problems, it's important to be creative and strategic, whether by asking for help or figuring out other ways to get the job done.

Solving f'(x)= f^(-1)(x) [the inverse of f(x)] [Math Mondays]

Technology Made Simple • 79 implied HN points • 17 Jan 23
🚌 Education Problem Solving
  1. Solving f'(x)= f^(-1)(x) is a powerful technique in problem solving used in Math and Software.
  2. Math and coding share similar neural pathways, making a Math background beneficial for coding.
  3. When solving problems, start with a warm-up, rely on pattern matching, attack problems from multiple angles, and remember that complex solutions can have simple building blocks.

[Solution]Problem 78: Finding the Distance between 2 sets[Goldman Sachs]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 11 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. The post discusses a math problem involving finding the distance between two sets in an n-dimensional space of real numbers.
  2. It explains key terms such as |x| for distance from the origin and inf(D) for the lowest distance given two sets.
  3. The post offers a 7-day free trial for more content on technology problem-solving and solutions.

Career advice: Learn how to debug

Wednesday Wisdom • 85 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. Learning to debug helps you solve your own problems, giving you control over your work and allowing you to be more effective.
  2. Debugging teaches you valuable lessons and knowledge that you can apply in future situations, making you more confident as you grow in your career.
  3. When you debug before asking for help, you can ask clearer questions and provide better information, which makes it easier for others to assist you.

Asking versus telling

Sunday Letters • 179 implied HN points • 14 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. It's important to ask questions instead of just telling people they're wrong. This helps avoid defensiveness and opens up communication.
  2. When you ask questions, be genuine and curious about the other person's perspective. It’s not just about getting your point across.
  3. Understanding someone’s reasoning and context can help change their mind. Telling them they're wrong often just makes them defensive.

Think twice, code once!

BK's Essays • 12 HN points • 19 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. Before coding, take time to understand the context and requirements of the task to be accomplished.
  2. Write down your assumptions and evaluate different possible paths or solutions before jumping into implementation.
  3. Implement only after thorough thinking and planning, considering the pros and cons of each potential solution.

[Solution]Problem 73: Find the smallest positive number missing from an unsorted array [Apple]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
🚌 Education Problem Solving
  1. When given a complex problem, consider starting with a simpler version to gain insights on how to approach the harder problem.
  2. Challenging problems often have specific constraints that indicate the existence of a trickier, optimized solution. However, don't let these constraints limit your exploration of simpler, slower solutions first.
  3. To solve harder problems smoothly, create a brute-force solution and optimize incrementally. Remember to focus on maximizing efficiency in terms of time and space complexity.

Mental Models: tools supporting problem solvers for better decision making

Poczwardowski Notes • 39 implied HN points • 07 Nov 23
🚌 Education Problem Solving
  1. Using mental models can enhance decision-making by offering different perspectives and minimizing blind spots.
  2. Engaging with tools and frameworks like mental models can lead to improved problem-solving strategies.
  3. Learning from mistakes is valuable, but utilizing structured models like mental models can equip problem solvers with additional support.

Security needs to be build again

Frankly Speaking • 152 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. Cybersecurity industry faces challenges due to rapid evolution of technology forcing a reactive approach instead of proactive problem-solving.
  2. Security teams are overwhelmed with solutions, leading to over-reliance on tools without understanding root causes of problems.
  3. Security needs to shift focus back to problem-solving and building comprehensive solutions that go beyond just using tools.

Anki-fy Your Life

About to Learn • 305 HN points • 18 Mar 23
🚌 Education Problem Solving
  1. Long-term memory is essentially limitless compared to working memory.
  2. Anki can be used to store important information in long-term memory for problem-solving.
  3. When deciding what to remember, focus on facts that are worth 10 minutes of your future time or are striking.

Bad communication is always your fault

Sunday Letters • 199 implied HN points • 03 Apr 22
🚌 Education Problem Solving
  1. Effective communication is a shared responsibility. If someone doesn't understand you, it's worth examining how you can express your thoughts more clearly.
  2. People generally want to understand each other. If communication fails, it's important to explore what might be blocking the other person from grasping your message.
  3. Assuming good intent can help improve communication. If you treat every miscommunication as your responsibility, it can lead to better conversations.

[Review] Move First, Think Later: Sense and Nonsense in Improving Your Chess

Arjun Panickssery • 39 implied HN points • 18 Sep 23
🚌 Education Problem Solving
  1. The book challenges traditional chess teaching methods by emphasizing pattern recognition over structured thinking.
  2. Verbal descriptions may not be effective in teaching chess moves, as examples show that pattern familiarity is crucial.
  3. The effectiveness of absorbing chess patterns quickly is compared to language learning, emphasizing the importance of practical application.

[Solution]Problem 84: Discover minimum transmission range [Spotify]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. The problem involves determining the minimum broadcast range needed to cover all listeners along a line, given a set of radio towers and listener locations.
  2. Understanding arrays and problem-solving techniques is crucial for solving this type of problem.
  3. Reframing the problem and approaching it systematically can help in identifying the minimum transmission range efficiently.

Blockage

Joshua's Notes • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
💼 Business Problem Solving
  1. Dealing with blockage in projects: consider brute force or stepping away.
  2. Brute force and sheer will can be effective in solving certain problems.
  3. Sometimes, stepping away to clear your mind can help you see the problem in a different light.

Solving Difficult Problems as a Filter

Bzogramming • 45 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Problem Solving
  1. Asking good questions is key to solving problems. Starting with simple, unrelated questions helps narrow down possibilities and find better answers.
  2. Simplicity is usually better, but complexity can sneak in. Adding constraints to a problem can reduce options quickly, so it's important to manage them wisely.
  3. Being too picky when looking for solutions or people can backfire. Sometimes it’s better to adapt and make things work with what's available, instead of searching for the perfect fit.

Notes on Puzzles

Nabeel S. Qureshi • 222 HN points • 11 Jul 23
🚌 Education Problem Solving
  1. Skilled chess players spend more time falsifying their ideas than amateurs do.
  2. In real life, trying to falsify your ideas can help with decision-making, but there are scenarios that require you to 'try it and see'.
  3. Having the conviction that there is an answer can drive problem-solving, but real-life problems can be more complex and uncertain.

✨🔍 Yisro 2024

TorahRedux • 19 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Problem Solving
  1. Humility is important in Judaism; it's not about thinking less of yourself, but dedicating yourself to something higher.
  2. The Torah emphasizes the importance of ethical behavior, such as being honest and not accepting ill-gotten gains.
  3. Showing up and engaging, even in times of uncertainty, is crucial for spiritual growth and connections in Judaism.

The Five Secrets Of Online Income

Day One • 439 implied HN points • 02 Apr 20
💼 Business Problem Solving
  1. To make money online, you need to attract attention by talking about what you do in places where people are
  2. Understanding the needs of people is crucial for success in online income, as it helps you offer solutions that people are looking for
  3. Stick to what you know and focus on solving specific problems that you can offer solutions for to connect with potential customers

Edge 456: Inside the Toughest Math Benchmark Ever Built

TheSequence • 56 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. Mathematical reasoning is a key skill for AI, showing how well it can solve problems. Recently, AI models have made great strides in math, even competing in tough math competitions.
  2. Current benchmarks often test basic math skills but don’t really challenge AI's creative thinking or common sense. AI still struggles with complex problem-solving that requires deeper reasoning.
  3. FrontierMath is a new benchmark designed to test AI on really tough math problems, pushing it beyond the simpler tests. This helps in evaluating how well AI can handle more advanced math challenges.

The Ishikawa Diagram

Psych • 19 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🚌 Education Problem Solving
  1. The Ishikawa Diagram is a tool used in quality management to identify potential causes contributing to a problem.
  2. It provides a visual representation of causes, categorizing them to aid in root cause analysis.
  3. This tool is effective for collaborative problem-solving and quality improvement initiatives within organizations.

Proof By Contradiction [Math Mondays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🚌 Education Problem Solving
  1. Proof by contradiction is a powerful proof technique where you assume the opposite to be true and derive a contradiction, leading to the original statement being true.
  2. Skills needed for Proof by Contradiction, like defining the problem statement clearly and building logical inferences, align well with problem-solving in Leetcode and software engineering.
  3. To learn Proof by Contradiction effectively, focus on topics like Sets, Probability, Theoretical Computer Science, and Graph Theory for practical application.

[Solution]Problem 75: Reorder List [Meta/Facebook]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. The post discusses a solution for rearranging a linked list in a specific pattern, providing examples and constraints.
  2. It encourages problem-solving skills by reinforcing fundamental concepts through problem-solving and preparing for technical interviews.
  3. Consider subscribing to access more articles and support the creator's work, appealing to a broader audience.

Problem 75: Reorder List [Meta/Facebook]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. The newsletter discusses a coding problem about reordering a linked list, which requires understanding of linked lists, pointer manipulation, and problem-solving skills.
  2. There is emphasis on focusing on important problems rather than mindlessly solving a large number of problems, suggesting that quality over quantity is key in interview preparation.
  3. The post also offers a premium subscription service to enhance tech skills, providing expert insights, tips, and resources, with a discount for new subscribers.

Problem 74: Find the First True in a Sorted Boolean Array [Stripe]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. The post discusses the problem of finding the first true value in a sorted boolean array, with a specific focus on the index of the first true element.
  2. It mentions industry news about layoffs in companies like Zoom and Disney, prompting readers to explore more about such topics.
  3. The writer emphasizes the release of a Tech Made Simple Ebook on Amazon and offers insights into the content and its accessibility.

The Infinte Hotel Paradox [Math Mondays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 27 Sep 22
🚌 Education Problem Solving
  1. The Infinite Hotel Paradox, created by mathematician David Hilbert, shows the mind-bending concept of infinity in a fun brain teaser.
  2. Solving paradoxes like this can improve problem-solving skills, similar to working on coding problems.
  3. The paradox involves scenarios like trying to accommodate an infinite number of guests in an infinitely occupied hotel, posing challenging questions.

Problem 57:Longest Repeating Character with Replacement[Google]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 21 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Problem Solving
  1. The problem involves finding the longest substring with the same repeated character after replacing some characters. It's about choosing characters and performing operations.
  2. The examples illustrate how to approach the problem by changing characters in the string according to the constraints given.
  3. Constraints include the length of the input string, the character constraints in the string, and the limit on character replacements.