Which statement best contrasts adaptive problem solving with innovative problem solving?

• A. Adaptive problem solving seeks a few well-reasoned solutions within the system; Innovative problem solving seeks many possible solutions.
• B. Adaptive and Innovative are the same.
• C. Adaptive is about generating many options; Innovative is about a single best option.
• D. Adaptive solves problems alone; Innovative solves with team.

Answer: (A)

Adaptive problem solving works within an established context, aiming to adjust and optimize using a small set of solid, well-reasoned solutions that fit the current system. Innovative problem solving, on the other hand, involves exploring a broad range of possibilities, including novel or nontraditional approaches, before selecting promising paths. This contrast is exactly captured by saying adaptive seeks a few well-reasoned solutions within the system, while innovative seeks many possible solutions.

The other ideas don’t fit because they either treat adaptive and innovative as the same, reverse the emphasis on how many options are explored, or misstate who solves the problem.