Final answer:
Clarifying issues of a problem is the first step in the problem-solving process, involving identification of given information and unknowns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Clarifying the issues of a problem is the first step in the problem-solving process. The onset of effective problem-solving involves analyzing the problem to identify what information is given. This analysis typically includes recognizing the 'given' information and understanding what the problem is asking you to 'find', also known as identifying the unknowns. Drawing sketches or timelines can be helpful in visualizing the problem. The steps mentioned demonstrate that before delving into finding a solution, you need to clearly define what is already known and what needs to be determined.