Final answer:
The statement is true; working backwards is indeed useful when the reverse path from the goal state is clearer and less complicated than the path towards it. This is applicable in both physical navigation and strategic problem-solving situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement in question is True. Working backwards can indeed be more helpful when the number of directions backwards from the goal state is greater than the number of directions towards the goal state. Let us consider an example similar to planning a route for a trip. If a person walks 2 blocks east and then 5 blocks north, we can work backwards by first considering the direction they should come from to arrive at the starting point. This heuristic simplifies the problem by reducing the number of steps and potential decisions to consider as opposed to moving forward when each step might present multiple forward paths.
In problems involving vector quantities like displacement in physics or decision trees in strategic planning, working backwards can be an effective strategy for simplifying and solving complex problems. The backward approach focuses on the end state and traces steps back to the starting point, often revealing a clearer and less convoluted path than if one were to start at the beginning and try to work forward.
Not only for physical movements but also in strategic and logical problems, such as puzzles or games, working backwards minimizes the complexities that can arise with multiple choices at each step. This method is valuable precisely when forward motion requires navigating through a web of intertwined possibilities. It is a technique that promotes efficiency and accuracy by streamlining the problem-solving process.