Constraints

Sometimes in life, we stubbornly try to solve problems that can’t be solved.

Let me explain.

Let’s say you have a system of linear equations that can be written in matrix form:

A X = B

If det(A) = 0 and B lies outside the column space of A, there are no solutions. You can still stubbornly try to get a solution, you will bang your head on the wall, get frustrated, scream or do whatever you do when you are mad, you will not find the solution you are looking for. For that solution simply does not exist.

A lot of non-mathematical problems in life are like that too. Given the constraints, it is just impossible to find a solution. It does not matter how much time you spend ruminating about the problem. You can even get an ulcer trying to find a solution to that problem. It will not change anything unless you change the constraints.

The beauty of life is that you almost always have the possibility to take a step back, change the constraints you thought you needed to apply, and often the solution then becomes evident.