PROBLEM SOLVING AND REASONING

Learning Outcome
At the end of the lesson, the students will be able to::
1. Use different types of reasoning to justify statements and
arguments raised regarding mathematics and mathematical concepts;
2. Write clear, purposeful and logical statements to present proofs;
3. Solve problems involving patterns and recreational problems by
applying the polya's four steps; and

4. Manifest prudence and patience while performing the required

activities to achieve precision and accuracy.
Reasoning is the process of drawing conclusions or inferences
from facts or premises. Logic and reasoning are associated to
problem solving and critical thinking
Two types of reasoning
1. Inductive Reasoning is a process of reasoning from a specific
observation to a general theory of a population. The
conclusion formed using inductive reasoning is called
conjecture which may or may not be true. One precaution is
that true conclusion is not guaranteed when using inductive
reasoning.
Ex.1: Use inductive reasoning to predict the next number.
1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ____
18
2. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ____
21

Try this : Use inductive reasoning to predict the next number.

24
1. 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, ____
36
2. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ____
3. 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ____
32
Ex.4: Find the sum. 1=1
1+3=4
1+3+5=9
1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16
Solution: 1 + 3 + 5 + … + (2n – 1) = ____

Take note that the sum is the square of the number of odd being added
1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 42 = 16
4 odd numbers
2
1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 = 5 = 25
5 odd numbers
From this note, we can make this conjecture:
The sum of the first n odd numbers is �2 . Or, 1 + 3 + 5 +…+ (2n-1) = �2 .
2. Deductive Reasoning is the process of reaching a conclusion by
applying general assumptions, procedures or principles to
specific statements through a logical process.
Ex. 1. Given: 4(3x-8) + 5 = x – 5. Solve the equation for x. Give
reason for each step in the process.
Solution : 4(3x-8) + 5 = x – 5
12x – 32 + 5 = x – 5 Apply distributive property
12x – 27 = x – 5 Combine similar terms
11x – 27 = – 5 Apply subtraction property of equality
11x = 22 Apply addition property of equality
x = 2 Use division property of equality
Solving a Logic Puzzle
Logic puzzles can be solved using deductive reasoning and
a chart that enables to display information.
Example. Each of four neighbors, Aster, Anji, Agnes and Anna,
has a different occupation ( writer, teacher, chef or doctor).
From the following clues, determine the occupation of each
neighbor.
1. Anji gets home from work after the teacher but before the doctor.
2. Agnes who is last to go home from work, is not the writer.
3. The doctor and Agnes leave for work at the same time.
4. The teacher lives next door to Anna.
 Writer Teacher Chef Doctor
Aster X √ X X 3. The doctor and Agnes leave
Anji √ X
X
X for work at the same time.
Agnes X X √ X Clue 3, Agnes is not a doctor,
Anna X X X √ leaving Agnes as the probable
chef. Since Agnes is the chef, the
1. Anji gets home from work after the
other three are not.
teacher but before the doctor.
4. The teacher lives next door
Clue 1, Anji is not a teacher nor a doctor.
to Anna.
2. Agnes who is last to go home from work,
Clue 4, Anna is not the teacher
is not the writer. whick makes Anna the doctor and
Clue 2, Agnes is not the writer and from Aster the teacher.
clue 1, the teacher is not the last to go
home, but Agnes is .
Problem Solving Strategies
Polya’s Four-step Process of Problem Solving
George Polya is known as the greatest problem solver and is the author of the
Four-step process for problem solving.
Step 1. Understand the Problem
This requires reading the problem slowly and recognizing the
information given in the problem. This is achieved when all the
words used in stating the problem is fully understood, it can be
restated in one’s own words and what is being asked for is identified.
Increased understanding is also achieved by drawing a sketch or
diagram to show connections and relationships or making a
reasonable guess at the solution.
Step 2. Devise a Plan
To devise a plan is to come up with a way to solve the problem. There
are many different types of plans for solving problems. Some
common strategies to solve problems include: guess and check, look
for a pattern, make an orderly list, draw a picture, eliminate the
possibilities, use a model, work backwards, use direct reasoning, use
a formula, use a variable, solve an equation, and solve a simpler
problem.
Step 3. Carry Out the Plan
This step is where the identified plan is applied to solve the problem.
If a plan does not work, it can be modified or change. Common sense
and natural thinking abilities can help this step.
Step 4. Look Backward
This step is where answers can be verified and checked and where
mistakes can be identified. Answers should be checked if it is
plausible. Looking back is an opportunity to make connections. This is
a time to review what you have done, what worked and what didn’t.
Examples. Guess and Check

1. Observe the pattern in the first Diagram. Following the same

pattern, complete the second diagram.

8 16

2 6 6 10

14 12 18 11 5 15
2. Fill in the small boxes with Make an Orderly List
digits 1 to 9 such that each
1. There are 8 people in a party. If
horizontal, vertical and diagonal
everyone at the party shakes
line of numbers must add up to hands with everyone else, how
15. many handshakes would there be?
15
A B C D E F G H
4 9 2 15 A

3 5 7 15
B AB
C AC BC
8 1 6 15 D AD BD CD 28
E AE BE CE DE
F AF BF CF DF EF
15
15 15 15 G AG BG CG DG EG FG
H AH BH CH DH EH FH GH
2. How many different total scores Draw a Diagram
could you make if you hit the dart 1. Everyday a postman walks from
board shown with 3 darts? office to specific destinations to
deliver mail. Today he walked 2 miles
10 5 1 Total
west, then 1 mile south, then 3 miles
3 0 0 30
east and 2 miles north, then 1 mile
2 1 0 25
10 5 1 west. How far is the postman from
2 0 1 21
the office
0 3 0 15
1 2 0 20 N
0 2 1 11
W E
0 0 3 3
1 0 2 12 S
0 1 2 7
1
The postman is 1 mile north
1 1 16
of his office.
 Look for a Pattern
2. In how many days will it take a
slug to get out of the 12-feet deep 3. For the hexagon with 42 dots, how
well if each day it climbs up 3 feet many dots are there in each side?
and each night it slips back 2 feet. How about a hexagon with 300 dots?

10 days
10 6
12
9 18
8 The pattern shows that for every increment
7 on the number of dots on a side , the total
6 number of dots is adding 6. Following the
5 pattern, 8 sides will have 42 dots. From the
4
same pattern a formula is identified as 6n – 6

3 T = 6n – 6
2
1
 n T
T = 6n - 6 2 6
3 12
Where: T = total number of dots 4 18
n = number of dots on a side 5 24
6 30
To determine the number of dots on a side for 300 dots 7 36
8 42
�
n= +�
�
���
Therefore, n = +�
�

n = 51
Eliminate Possibilities
Three persons, Jhade, Mia and Ameerah are friends. Their
surnames are Javier, Castillo and Soza, but not necessarily in order.
Jhade lives in a red house, Ameerah lives in a yellow house, and
Miss Javier lives in blue house, and Miss Soza does not live in a red
house. What are the full name of each person?

Jhade Ameerah Mia

Miss Castillo Miss Soza Miss Javier
Therefore, Mia lives in the blue house and Miss Castillo lives in the red house.
The full names of the three persons are: Jhade Castillo, Ameerah Soza and
Mia Javier.
Work Backwards
1. By 7PM all the party guess had arrived but by 8 PM a third of them had
departed. By 9 PM a third of those remaining had also departed. By 10 PM
the same happened again and a third of those remaining had also departed.
Finally, the party ended at 11 PM by which time further third of those
remaining had also departed and by 11 PM only 16 guests still remained.
How many guests were originally at the party at 7 PM?

11 PM 16 = 2/3 16 ÷ 2 * 3 = 24
10 PM 24 = 2/3 24 ÷ 2 * 3 = 36
9 PM 36 = 2/3 36 ÷ 2 * 3 = 54
8 PM 54 = 2/3 54 ÷ 2 * 3 = 81
7 PM
 � ��(�)
11 PM x24 – �
�
x
(��) = �
�
x
(��) = 16 �� =
� x x =
�
= 24

�
10 PM x–
36
�
�
x
(��) = �
�
x
(��) x
= 24 x=� x
x – � (��)
54 x =
�
�
�
x
(��) x
= 36 x =
�
x
9 PM �
�
8 PM x–
81
�
�
x
(��) = �
�
x
(��) x
= 54 x =
� x

7 PM
 � ��(�)
11 PM x24 – �
�
x
(��) = �
�
x
(��) = 16 �� =
� x x =
�
= 24

� ��(�)
10 PM x–
36
�
�
x
(��) = �
�
x
(��) x
= 24 24 = � x x =
�
= 36

x – � (��)
54 x =
�
�
�
x
(��) x
= 36 x =
�
x
9 PM �
�
8 PM x–
81
�
�
x
(��) = �
�
x
(��) x
= 54 x =
� x

7 PM
 � ��(�)
11 PM x24 – �
�
x
(��) = �
�
x
(��) = 16 �� =
� x x =
�
= 24

� ��(�)
10 PM x–
36
�
�
x
(��) = �
�
x
(��) x
= 24 24 = � x x =
�
= 36

x – � (��)
54 x =
�
�
�
x
(��) x
= 36 36 =
�
x x = ��(�) = 54
9 PM � �
�
8 PM x–
81
�
�
x
(��) = �
�
x
(��) x
= 54 x =
� x

7 PM
 � ��(�)
11 PM x24 – �
�
x
(��) = �
�
x
(��) = 16 �� =
� x x =
�
= 24

� ��(�)
10 PM x–
36
�
�
x
(��) = �
�
x
(��) x
= 24 24 = � x x =
�
= 36

x – � (��)
54 x =
�
�
�
x
(��) x
= 36 36 =
�
x x = ��(�) = 54
9 PM � �
�
8 PM x–
81
�
�
x
(��) = �
�
x
(��) x
= 54 54 = � x x = ��(�) = 81
�

7 PM
2. A bus was three stops away from the bus terminal. At the first bus
stop, 5 passengers got on and 3 passengers got off. At the second bus
stop, 4 passengers got on and 8 passengers got off. At the third bus
stop, 2 passengers got on and 12 passengers got off. When the bus
arrived at the terminal, all 75 passengers got off. How many
passengers were on the bus just before it arrived at the first bus stop?

ON OFF
Terminal 75 75 + 12 – 2 + 8 – 4 + 3 – 5 = 87
Bus stop 3 2 12
Bus stop 2 4 8
87 passengers
Bus stop 1 5 3