Final answer:
Heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that provide an efficient method of problem-solving, even though they may not always produce the optimal result.
Step-by-step explanation:
Heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that provide an efficient method of problem-solving, even though they may not always produce the optimal result. Heuristics are largely unconscious, automated, and effortless but may not always be correct. They help us make decisions quickly by substituting complex calculations with simpler and more practical rules.