Math in the

Modern
World

Chapter 3:
Mathematical
Process
MATHEMATICS IN THE
MODERN WORLD
Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem
Solving

Applications
Maritess G. Gallego
 Math in the Phrase Category Characteristics
Modern World
Mathematical is • applies mathematical
Chapter 3: Process is calculation methods.
Mathematical that • consists of the following:
Process
 Communication
Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving
 Connections
 Mental Mathematics
Polya’s Problem and Estimation
Solving
 Problem Solving
Applications  Reasoning
 Technology
 Visualization
 Math in the Phrase Category Characteristics
Modern World
Problem a statement • consists of an obstacle
Chapter 3:
Mathematical
is or situation between what we have and
Process that what we want.
Lesson 3.2
Problem Illustrations/Examples
Solving

Polya’s Problem
Solving

Applications
 Math in the Phrase Category Characteristics
Modern World
Problem a • consists of multi-step
Chapter 3:
Mathematical
solving mathematical procedure used to overcome
Process is process obstacles in achieving goals.
Lesson 3.2 that • finds a solution to a problem.
Problem Illustrations/Examples
Solving

Polya’s Problem
Solving

Applications
 Math in the Phrase Category Characteristics
Modern World
Polya’s a • is advocated by George Polya
Chapter 3:
Mathematical
Problem strategy consisted of the following steps:
Process Solving that  Understand the problem
Lesson 3.2 is  Devise a plan
Problem Solving
 Carry out the plan
 Look back
Polya’s Illustrations/Examples
Problem
Solving

Applications
 Math in the
Modern World POLYA’S PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGY
Chapter 3: 1.Understand the Problem To help you focus
Mathematical
Process on understanding the problem, consider the
Lesson 3.2
following questions.
Problem Solving  Can you restate the problem in your own
words?
Polya’s  Can you determine what is known about these
Problem types of problems?
Solving  Is there missing information that, if known,
Applications
would allow you to solve the problem?
 Is there extraneous information that is not
needed to solve the problem?
 What is the goal?
 Math in the
Modern World POLYA’S PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGY
Chapter 3:
Mathematical
2. Devise a Plan. Use a variety of techniques to
Process solve a problem. Here are some frequently used
Lesson 3.2 procedures.
Problem Solving  Write an equation
 making visual representations
Polya’s  working backwards
Problem  intelligent guessing and testing
Solving  solving a simpler analogous problem
 finding a pattern
Applications  organizing data
 accounting for all possibilities
 Math in the
Modern World POLYA’S PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGY
Chapter 3:
Mathematical
3. Carry Out the Plan Once you have devised a
Process plan, you must carry it out.
Lesson 3.2  Work carefully.
Problem Solving  Keep an accurate and neat record of all your
attempts.
Polya’s  Realize that some of your initial plans will not
Problem work and that you may have to devise another
Solving
plan or modify your existing plan.
Applications
 Math in the
Modern World POLYA’S PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGY
Chapter 3:
Mathematical
4. Look back Once you have found a solution,
Process check the solution.
Lesson 3.2  Ensure that the solution is consistent with the
Problem Solving facts of the problem.
 Interpret the solution in the context of the
Polya’s problem.
Problem  Ask yourself whether there are generalizations
Solving
of the solution that could apply to other
Applications problems.
 Math in the
Modern World
Chapter 3:
TECHNIQUE 1: WRITE AN EQUATION
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving  Writing an equation is done by translating word
Polya’s Problem Solving problems to mathematical statements using any
Applications letter that would represent the unknown in the
Write an problem.
Equation
 Examples:
making visual
representations • Michael is 4 years older than Sam.
working backwards • Jacob is 12 years younger than Michael.
finding a pattern • Sam is twice as old as Jacob.
organizing data
solving a simpler
analogous problem
intelligent guessing
and testing
 Math in the
Modern World

Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Write an equation
making visual
representations
working backwards
finding a pattern
organizing data
solving a simpler
analogous problem
intelligent guessing
and testing
 Math in the
Modern World
Chapter 3:
TECHNIQUE 2: MAKING VISUAL
Mathematical Process REPRESENTATIONS
Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Write an Equation

Making Visual
Representation
working backwards
finding a pattern
organizing data
solving a simpler
analogous problem
intelligent guessing
and testing
 Math in the
Modern World
Chapter 3:
TECHNIQUE 2: MAKING VISUAL
Mathematical Process REPRESENTATIONS
Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Write an Equation

Making Visual
Representation
working backwards
finding a pattern
organizing data
solving a simpler
analogous problem
intelligent guessing
and testing
 Math in the
Modern World
Chapter 3:
TECHNIQUE 2: MAKING VISUAL
Mathematical Process REPRESENTATIONS
Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Write an Equation

Making Visual
Representation
working backwards
finding a pattern
organizing data
solving a simpler
analogous problem
intelligent guessing
and testing
 Math in the
Modern World
Chapter 3:
TECHNIQUE 2: MAKING VISUAL
Mathematical Process REPRESENTATIONS
Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Write an Equation

Making Visual
Representation
working backwards
finding a pattern
organizing data
solving a simpler
analogous problem
intelligent guessing
and testing
 Math in the
Modern World
Chapter 3:
TECHNIQUE 2: MAKING VISUAL
Mathematical Process REPRESENTATIONS
Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Write an Equation

Making Visual
Representation
working backwards
finding a pattern
organizing data
solving a simpler
analogous problem
intelligent guessing
and testing
 Math in the
Modern World
Chapter 3:
TECHNIQUE 3: WORKING BACKWARDS
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving
Guidelines in Working Backward ( Shapiro, 2016)
Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Write an Equation
1. The work backward technique is appropriate
making visual when you know the outcome but do not know
representations
the starting point, beginning at the end of the
Working
Backwards
problem, and working backward is the best
finding a pattern way of arriving at a solution.
organizing data
solving a simpler
analogous problem
intelligent guessing
and testing
 Math in the
Modern World
Chapter 3:
TECHNIQUE 3: WORKING BACKWARDS
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving
Guidelines in Working Backward ( Shapiro, 2016)
Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Write an Equation
2. It is extremely useful in dealing with a situation
making visual or a sequence of events. The events occur one
representations
after the other and each stage, or piece of
Working
Backwards
information, is affected by what comes next.
finding a pattern Students begin at the end, with the final
organizing data action, and work through the process in
solving a simpler
analogous problem reverse order to establish what happened in
intelligent guessing the original situation.
and testing
 Math in the
Modern World
Chapter 3:
TECHNIQUE 3: WORKING BACKWARDS
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving
Guidelines in Working Backward ( Shapiro, 2016)
Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Write an Equation
3. When you are solving a problem by starting at
making visual the end and working backward, any
representations
mathematical operations you come across will
Working
Backwards
have to be reversed. This means that if the
finding a pattern problem requires you to add something, then
organizing data you must subtract it, or if multiplying you must
solving a simpler
analogous problem divide.
intelligent guessing
and testing
 Math in the
Modern World TECHNIQUE 4. INTELLIGENT GUESSING
Chapter 3: AND TESTING (Guess, Check, Revise)
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
 Multiple conditions
Problem Solving
 GUESS the answer that satisfies one condition
Polya’s Problem Solving
 CHECK if it satisfies the other condition
Applications
 REVISE your guess and repeat the process
Guess &
Check
finding a pattern Problem 2 Find the value of x and y, if x and y are
organizing data positive integers and
𝑥 𝑦 19
solving a simpler
+ =
analogous problem 4 5 20
accounting for all
possibilities
 Math in the
Modern World TECHNIQUE 5. SOLVING A SIMPLER
Chapter 3:
ANALOGOUS PROBLEM (Specification
Mathematical Process
with out loss of generality)
Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Great with difficult numbers
Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Problem is vague
Guess & Check Eliminate extraneous information
Solving a
simpler
Make the numbers easier to work with
analogous Problem 3. The divisors of 360 add up to 1,170.
problem What is the sum of the reciprocals of the divisors
Finding a pattern

organizing data
of 360.
accounting for all • The divisors of 360 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 24,
possibilities
30, 36, 40, 45, 60, 72, 90, 120, 180, 360.
 Math in the
Modern World TECHNIQUE 6. ORGANIZING DATA

 Gain valuable information to lead you in the

Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving right direction to solve a problem.
Polya’s Problem Solving • according to category
Applications
• arrange numbers
Guess & Check
• Tabular form
Solving a simpler
analogous problem • Lists
Organizing Data TECHNIQUE 7. ACCOUNTING FOR ALL
Accounting for
POSSIBILITIES (Process of Elimination)
all possibilities
 Identify all possible answers and eliminate
Finding a pattern
the ones that are not.
 Math in the
Modern World TECHNIQUE 6. ORGANIZING DATA
Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process
TECHNIQUE 7. ACCOUNTING FOR ALL
Lesson 3.2
POSSIBILITIES (Process of Elimination)
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Problem 4. The coefficients of the quadratic
Guess & Check
2
equation 𝑥 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 are determined
Solving a simpler
analogous problem
by throwing a fair die twice. The first
Organizing Data outcome is b; the second outcome is c. How
Accounting for many combinations that the equation will
all possibilities
Finding a pattern
have real roots?
 Math in the
Modern World Problem 4. The coefficients of the quadratic
Chapter 3: equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 are determined by throwing
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
a fair die twice. The first outcome is b; the second
Problem Solving
outcome is c. How many combinations that the
Polya’s Problem Solving
equation will have real roots?
Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a
pattern
 Math in the
Modern World TECHNIQUE 8. FINDING A PATTERN
Chapter 3:
Guidelines in Finding a Pattern
Mathematical Process
1. When the problem gives a set of data or a pattern that is
Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving
continuing, predictable and can be arranged in a table, it
Polya’s Problem Solving
is good to consider looking for the pattern and
Applications determining the “rule” of the pattern. The “rule” can then
Guess & Check be used to find the answer to the question.
2. Setting up a table and filling in the information given in
Solving a simpler
analogous problem the problem is a great way to organize things and provide
a visual so that the “rule” of the pattern can be
Organizing Data
determined.
Accounting for all
possibilities
3. It can be used in combination with many other
techniques, including make a table, make a list, draw a
Finding a picture, or simplify the problem.
pattern
 Math in the
Modern World TECHNIQUE 8. FINDING A PATTERN
Chapter 3:

Problem 4. What is the unit digit of

Mathematical Process
19
8 ?
Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a
pattern
 Math in the
Modern World POLYA’S FOUR – STEP PROBLEM
SOLVING STRATEGY
Chapter 3:
Mathematical 1. Understand the problem
Process
2. Devise a plan
Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving
 Write an equation
 making visual representations
 working backwards
Polya’s  intelligent guessing and testing
Problem  solving a simpler analogous problem
Solving  accounting for all possibilities
 finding a pattern
Applications
 organizing data
3. Carry out the plan
4. Look back
 Math in the
Modern World Apply Polya’s Strategy to solve the
Chapter 3:
problem.
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Problem 5. The product of the ages, in years,

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check of three teenagers is 4590. None of the teens
Solving a simpler are the same of age. What are the ages of the
analogous problem
Teenagers?
Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a
pattern
 Math in the
Modern World Apply Polya’s Problem Solving
Chapter 3:

Problem 6. In a room with 10 people,

Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Every one shakes hands with
Applications Everybody else exactly once. How
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
Many handshakes are there?
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a pattern

Problem
 Math in the
Modern World Apply Polya’s Problem Solving
VISUAL REPRESENTATION
Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a pattern

Problem
 Math in the
Modern World Apply Polya’s Problem Solving
ACCOUNTING FOR ALL POSSIBILITIES
Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2 (PROCESS OF ELIMINATION)

Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a pattern

Problem
 Math in the
Modern World Apply Polya’s Problem Solving
LOOKING FOR A PATTERN
Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a pattern

Problem
 Math in the
Modern World Apply Polya’s Problem Solving
ORGANIZING DATA
Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a pattern

Problem
 Math in the
Modern World Apply Polya’s Problem Solving
PROBLEM 7
Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving
Barbara and her friends visited SKYRANCH at
Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
SM Baguio on three consecutive Sundays.
Guess & Check On the first Sunday, they doubled their money
Solving a simpler and spent P1,500.00. On the second Sunday, they
analogous problem
tripled their money and spent P2,700.00. On the
Organizing Data
third Sunday, they quadrupled their money and
Accounting for all
possibilities Spent P3,600.00. They found out that they had
Finding a pattern P2,400.00 when they left the place. How much
Money did they start with?
Problem
 Math in the
Modern World Apply Polya’s Problem Solving
PROBLEM 8
Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving
Find the sum of the first 100 even numbers.
Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a pattern

Problem
 Math in the
Modern World Apply Polya’s Problem Solving
PROBLEM 9
Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a pattern

Problem
 Math in the
Modern World Apply Polya’s Problem Solving
LOOKING A PATTERN
Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a pattern

Problem
 Math in the
Modern World Apply Polya’s Problem Solving
LOOKING A PATTERN
Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a pattern

Problem
 Math in the PROBLEM 10
Modern World

Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a pattern

Problem
 Math in the PROBLEM 11
Modern World

Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler
analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a pattern

Problem
 Math in the PROBLEM 12
Modern World

Chapter 3:
Mathematical Process

Lesson 3.2
Problem Solving

Polya’s Problem Solving

Applications
Guess & Check

Solving a simpler SOLVING A SIMPLER ANALOGOUS PROBLEM

analogous problem

Organizing Data

Accounting for all

possibilities

Finding a pattern

Problem