Classification Identify a class of problems, of which the problem of interest is an instance.
Notationally define a generic problem which represents the problems in this class. Enumeration of Problem Instances Enumerate several of the simplest instances of the problems in the class. Solutions of Problem Instances Solve the several simplest enumerated instances. Observation of a Pattern Observe a pattern which relates the several simplest instances to their solutions. Express the pattern observed in terms of the generic problem associated with the problem class.