Transformational Analogy

Look for a similar solution and copy it to the new situation making suitable substitutions where appropriate.

E.g. Geometry.

If you know about lengths of line segments and a proof that certain lines are equal (Fig. 29) then we can make similar assertions about angles.

 

Fig. 29 Transformational Analogy Example

• We know that lines RO = NY and angles AOB = COD
• We have seen that RO + ON = ON + NY - additive rule.
• So we can say that angles AOB + BOC = BOC + COD
• So by a transitive rule line RN = OY
• So similarly angle AOC = BOD

Carbonell (1983) describes a T-space method to transform old solutions into new ones.

• Whole solutions are viewed as states in a problem space -- the T-space.
• T-operators prescribe methods of transforming existing solution states into new ones.
• Reasoning by analogy becomes a search in T-space -- means-end analysis.