Heuristic

adj. serving to discover, investigative

n. heuristic method, investigative approach to problem solving

A heuristic is a method for helping in solving of a problem, commonly informal. It is particularly used for a method that often rapidly leads to a solution that is usually reasonably close to the best possible answer. Heuristics are "rules of thumb, educated guesses, intuitive judgments or simply common sense. In more precise terms, heuristics stand for strategies using readily accessible though loosely applicable information to control problem-solving in human beings and machine[sic]".
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Noun
1. a commonsense rule (or set of rules) intended to increase the probability of solving some problem
(synonym) heuristic rule, heuristic program
(hypernym) rule, formula
(hyponym) lateral thinking
Adjective
1. of or relating to or using a general formulation that serves to guide investigation
(antonym) algorithmic
(similar) trial-and-error

(a.)
Serving to discover or find out.
  

helping to learn; allowing students to learn for themselves; a rule of thumb method for solving problems; common sense (contrast with algorithm).