Final answer:
A heuristic is a part of developing a good problem-solving strategy, serving as a general guideline for approaching problems but not assuring a solution. Problem-solving strategies can vary, with trial and error being one of the examples that involves multiple attempts to find a correct solution.
Step-by-step explanation:
A heuristic is a part of developing a good problem-solving strategy. It's a guideline that suggests a solution to a problem but does not guarantee an answer. Unlike an algorithm, which is a step-by-step procedure that must be followed precisely to achieve a correct result a heuristic serves as a general framework for tackling problems.
Examples of heuristics include the 'rule of thumb', which offers quick and usually effective means of addressing issues, saving time and effort. However heuristics aren't foolproof and may not always lead to the best outcome. Conditions that trigger the use of a heuristic involve scenarios where a fast solution is valued over an accurate one or when a problem is too complex for an algorithmic approach. Different problem-solving strategies utilize unique action plans. For instance, trial and error is a classic strategy where multiple attempts are made to find a solution, learning and adapting with each iteration. Such strategies include identifying knowns and unknowns, checking if an answer is reasonable, and applying learned solutions to similar problems in the future.