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Question B I) Describe Polya's Model For Problem Solving

Polya's model for problem solving consists of four principles: 1) Understand the problem, 2) Devise a plan, 3) Carry out the plan, and 4) Look back. For the first principle, the problem solver explains the problem in their own words to understand what is being asked. For the second principle, the problem solver generates strategies to solve the problem such as making diagrams, looking for patterns, or solving simpler related problems. The third principle involves implementing the plan carefully. The fourth principle has the problem solver examine the solution and determine if it makes sense or if another approach could work.

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Muhammad Rizam Hj Bakri
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64 views3 pages

Question B I) Describe Polya's Model For Problem Solving

Polya's model for problem solving consists of four principles: 1) Understand the problem, 2) Devise a plan, 3) Carry out the plan, and 4) Look back. For the first principle, the problem solver explains the problem in their own words to understand what is being asked. For the second principle, the problem solver generates strategies to solve the problem such as making diagrams, looking for patterns, or solving simpler related problems. The third principle involves implementing the plan carefully. The fourth principle has the problem solver examine the solution and determine if it makes sense or if another approach could work.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Rizam Hj Bakri
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Question B

i) Describe Polya’s model for problem solving.

George Polya, a Hungarian who is migrated to United States in 1940. His major
contribution in world of mathematics is in problem solving. He was an excellent problem
solver but frustrated with his memorizing skill. Early on his age, his uncle convinced him
to go into mathematic field but all he wanted that time is to study in law like he late
father had. After a while at school of law, he became bored because of the need of
memorizing so many facts in case of he had memorizing problem. He tired of that and
switched to Biology and switched again to Latin and Literature, and finally graduated
with a degree. Then, he tired of that quickly and went back to school and took math and
physics. He fell in love with mathematics.

His first job was to become a tutor to Gregor the young son of a baron who is lack of
problem solving skill. He spent hours and developed a method of problem solving that
would help Gregor as well as others who are in the same boat with Gregor. He was
invited to teach in Zurich, Switzerland and worked with Dr. Weber. He then met with
doctor’s daughter, Stella and finally married her. They spent 67 years together. He and
his wife moved to US in 1940 because of concerning of Nazism in Germany. He taught
briefly at Brown University and then Stanford University for his whole life. He became
popular and well known in problem solving method. He taught many classes on how to
motivate and teach skills in the area of problem solving to their student. He published
the book How to Solve It? In 1945 and became his most prized publication that had
been sold for over millions copies and translated to 17 languages.

In the book, he identifies four basic principles in solving a problem that is


understanding the problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and looking back.
The First Principle understands the problem, which is you can explain back the question
using your own word and try to come up with a decisive idea and concentrate to the aim
of the question. Try asking yourself what are you looking for and then you had to find
out what is the unknown. Write down the QED (Quod Erat Demonstradum) that is the
question you need to answer.

The Second Principle is devising a plan, which are you have to look for the pattern
between data and unknown. Examine the related problem so that you can determine
whether the same technique can be applied or not. You have to examine a simpler or
special case of the problem to gain insight into the solution of the original problem. Try
to make table or diagram using the data to help you in solving the problem. Then, use
guess and check method. After that, work backward. Identify a subgoal using visual
thinking. A list of strategies written below:
• Guess and check • Look for a pattern
• Make and orderly list • Draw a picture
• Eliminate possibilities • Solve a simpler problem
• Use symmetry • Use a model
• Consider special cases • Work backward
• Use direct reasoning • Use a formula

• Solve an equation • Be ingenious


The Third Principle is carrying out the plan. This step is usually easier than devising
a plan. All you need is care and patient given that you have the necessary skills. You
have to implement the strategies in step 2 and perform any necessary actions or
communications. After that, check each step of the plan as you proceed and this may
be intuitive checking or a formal proof each step. Then, record you work accurately.

The Fourth Principle is looking back. Examine the solution in the original problem.
But, in some cases, this will require a proof. Then, interpret the solution in terms of
original problem and ask yourself whether your answer make sense and is it reasonable
with the problem given. After you get the answer, determine whether there is another
method of finding solution. If possible, determine other related or more general
problems for which the technique will work effectively.
ii) Solve the problem in Example 1 according to Polya’s model.

Firstly, we examine and understand the problem. From the problem given, we know
that we have to punch a hole in a piece of paper, and another hole until ten times. The
QED for this problem is ‘How many holes would you get after folding the paper ten
times?’.

Secondly, we write down the steps of solution. We will get

1, 3, 7, 15, 31, 63, 127, 255, 511, 1023, 2047

Then we will get the pattern based on the connection between the data and the
unknown which is (nx2) + 1, which is

1 is representing the first hole.

2 are representing the hole that will be made after folding the paper.

n is representing the number of hole. n must be the number of hole before we


punch it.

Make a table based on the solution above.

Time 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Fold

n 0 1 3 7 15 31 63 127 255 511 1023

(nx2) 1 3 7 15 31 63 127 255 511 102 2047


+1 3

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