How to learn to solve problems and develop logical thinking?

Question

IT education

Hello! There is a big problem on my way of becoming a programmer: I have a very poorly developed logical thinking and I can’t solve problems . Well, for example, at an interview I can answer questions about the language, but solving mathematical / logical / algorithmic problems is, perhaps, an impossible task for me. I can hardly even master problems for the 7th grade of school ... For example, I instantly fail an interview if they ask me to solve any problems like these:

1) "An entrepreneur bought several used cars for $ 3,500, and sold them for $ 5,500, earning $50 per car in the process. How many cars did he sell?"

2) "Five half-kilo packs of minced meat cost $2. How many kilos of minced meat can you buy for 80 cents?"

3) "Three vending machines with drinks were brought to the office. The first dispenses tea, the second coffee, and the third randomly tea or coffee. A glass of any drink costs one coin. Each machine has a sticker with the name of the product it dispenses. It so happened that at the factory, the labels were reversed and each machine had the wrong one.

It would be nice if these tasks were still solved at an interview only, but a programmer must solve problems. And I can't figure out even these simple ones. I just don’t know where to start and how to finish solving such problems... Teachers and parents say that I made a big mistake with my profession... I don't really listen to them, I try to do something, but to everyone my attempts to solve such problems look like pitiful attempts to "give birth" to at least something... By the way, I also could not pass the GIA in mathematics in the 9th grade. They helped me. It's a long story. But, it’s true, I got a cool teacher at the university and I learned how to solve some sections in algebra (quadratic and biquadratic equations, simple inequalities; tasks on derivatives and antiderivatives, simple tasks in trigonometry and easy tasks with integrals). At school, in the exact sciences, he was absolutely helpless. If in algebra I could somehow kick around, then in geometry and physics they gave me final triples purely out of pity ...

Tell me, please, how to learn to solve problems and develop logical thinking? This is really important. Now I am 25 years old. I think that all is not lost... Thank you in advance for your answers and advice!

Answer 1

Examples of tasks (in the text of the question) are not logical thinking, this is an understanding of the order of mathematical operations set out in the text ( AI would definitely not interfere here, right?!) ).
Regarding these tasks - learn how to translate the text into mathematical notation.

"An entrepreneur bought several used cars for $3,500 and sold them for $5,500, earning $50 per car. How many cars did he sell?"

1. An entrepreneur bought several used cars for $3500: 3500=count*price
2. and sold them for $5500, earning $50 per car: 5500=count*(price+50)
3. How many cars did he sell? -count=?

Answer 2

It's like weightlifting. Start easy and practice