Final answer:
The initial step in the problem-solving process is Identifying the problem, which involves understanding the issue before applying various strategies to find a solution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step of the problem-solving process described in the textbook is B) Identifying the problem. This step is crucial because before finding a solution, the problem must be clearly understood and defined. Once the problem is identified, various problem-solving strategies can be considered to tackle it effectively. It's important to identify the "given" information and understand what the problem is asking you to "find." This process is not limited to any specific field and is a part of general problem-solving techniques applicable in many contexts such as mathematics, sciences, engineering, business, and everyday life.