Considering Extreme Cases

By Ken Baum and David Michaels

Often times in solving a mathematical problem, the traditional approach is cumbersome--  involving huge calculations and/or confusing strategies.  At times like this, it is often productive to use a non-traditional strategy.  One such strategy is considering extreme cases.  This website demonstrates how to successfully apply this technique to three problems.  Below are the links to to these three problems and their elegant 'extreme case' solutions. 
Problem 1: Ken's M&M Truck Problem 2: The Flag Problem Problem 3: Mystery Phone Number
Solution 1 Solution 2 Solution 3