Final answer:
An educated guess in science used to narrow down solutions for a problem is called a hypothesis, which is a testable and changeable tentative explanation based on gathered observations.
Step-by-step explanation:
An educated guess based on prior experiences that helps narrow down the possible solutions for a problem is a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a tentative explanation of observations that acts as a guide for gathering and checking information. When an expert makes a hypothesis, they often have a good intuition of what the answer might be before they start a detailed analysis. This preliminary guess helps them identify possible mistakes and compels them to take a closer look at the evidence. Scientifically, a hypothesis puts the system being studied into a form that can be tested. It must be able to be subjected to experiments that will either support or disprove it.
This approach to problem-solving is efficient though not necessarily optimal, like using heuristics, which are mental shortcuts to arrive at a solution more quickly. Hypotheses can evolve and change, making them merely part of the scientific process to arrive at a position that is more likely to be true, always maintaining a level of epistemic humility. When creating a hypothesis, scientists often use inductive reasoning to make predictions based on past experiences and patterns observed.