Chapter 3: Problem Solving and Reasoning: Learner'S Module: Mathematics in The Modern World
Chapter 3: Problem Solving and Reasoning: Learner'S Module: Mathematics in The Modern World
I. Objectives
II. OVERVIEW
III. DISCUSSION
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
EUCLID (325 BCE – 265 BCE), the father of Geometry and the first Egyptian
Mathematician who initiated a new way of thinking the study of geometry
and introduced method of proving a geometrical result by deductive
reasoning based upon previously proved result and some self-evident
specified assumption called axioms.
B. Mathematical Proofs
A proof is a sequence of true facts (statements) placed in a logical order.
In providing, the following may be used as reasons:
The given information (the hypothesis)
Definition and undefined terms
Algebraic properties
Postulates of geometry
Previously proven geometric conjectures (theorems)
Commutative Properties:
Addition x+y=y+z
Multiplication yz = zy
Associative Properties:
Addition x +(y+z) = (x+y) + z
Multiplication x(yz) = (xy)z
Example:
Find the value of x in 2(x + 1) = 6x + 4.
Proof:
Statements Reasons
2(x + 1) = 6x + 4 Given
2x + 2 = 6x + 4 Distributive Property
2x + 2 – 6x – 2 = 6x + 4 -6x -2 APE
-4x (-1/4) = 2 (-1/4) MPE
x = 1/2 Simplification
D. Geometric Properties
The following properties may be used to justify proof of some mathematical
statements.
PROPERTIES GIVEN STATEMENT
Reflexive (REF) AB ≅ CD
Symmetric (SYM) AB ≅ CD CD ≅ AB
(1). (1).
Addition Property of AB ≅ CD AB ± EF = CD ± EF
Equality (APE) (2). (2).
AB = CD, EF = GH AB ± EF = CD ± GH
(1). (1).
Definition of Congruent AB ≅ CD AB = CD
Segments (DOCS) (2). (2).
AB = CD AB ≅ CD
Definition of
Betweenness (DOB) A B C AB + BC = AC
Definition of Midpoint
(DOM) A M B
AM ≅ MB
M is the midpoint of AB
X Y Z
Prove: XY ≅ AB
Proof:
Statements Reasons
1. Y is the midpoint of XZ Given
2. XY ≅ YZ Definition of Midpoint (DOM)
3. XY ≅ AB Given
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LEARNER’S MODULE:
Mathematics in the Modern World
4. YZ ≅ AB Transitive
4-Step Process:
1. Understand the problem. (See)
Read and understand the problem. Identify what is the given information,
known data or values and what is the unknown and to be solved as
required by the problem.
Consider the following questions:
a. Can you restate the problem in your own words?
b. Can you determine what is known about these types of problems?
c. Is there missing information that if known would allow you to solve the
problem?
d. Is there extraneous information that is not needed to solve the problem?
e. What is the goal?
Example: A police station has 25 vehicles of motorcycles and cars. The total
number of wheels is 70. Find the number of motorcycles and cars the station
has.
Solution:
Step 1. Understand the problem.
Given: 25 vehicles
70 wheels
Required: The number of cars and the number of motorcycles.
Step 2. Devise a plan.
Let x = the number of cars
y = the number of motorcycles
and x + y = 25 vehicles
4 wheels (x=cars) + 2 wheels (y=motorcycles) = 70 wheels
So, x + y = 25 vehicles and 4x + 2y = 70 wheels are two equations formed
based on the problem.
Step 3. Carry out plan.
(1) x + y = 25
(2) 4x + 2y = 70, solving two equations with two unknown using process of
elimination:
(1) -2(x + y= 25) -> -2x – 2y = -50
(2) 4x + 2y = 70 -> 4x + 2y = 70
2x + 0 = 20
2x = 20
2 2
x = 10
since x denotes the number of cars is as follows:
since x + y = 25, then 10 + y = 25, y = 25 – 10, finally y = 15, so there
are 15 vehicles in the police station.
Step 4. Look back.
Therefore, there are 10 cars with 4 wheels and 15 motorcycles with 2 wheels.
The total number of wheels is 70 wheels.
In this example, the use of Polya’s 4-Step Strategy is very helpful in solving
problem because one must read and understand properly the problem. Specify
the given information and values and what to solve. Always think of drawing a
pattern, setting up the table, working backward, or making lists and tables and
design right away the needed equation and use other techniques in order to
arrive at realistic and correct answer. Though, logical shortcuts can be employed
in nay problem.
1. Searching Patterns
The ability to recognize patterns is one important problem solving skill. It
enables a person to see order of regularity in what it takes place in our
surroundings and so be able to make sense of what is going on.
Solution (a):
1. Understand the problem
Given: 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, …
Required: The next number in the sequence.
2. Devise a plan.
1st term => 5 4th term => 17 = 13 + 4
2nd term => 9 = 5 + 4 5th term => 21 = 17 + 4
3rd term => 13 = 9 +4 6th term => 25 = 21 + 4
3. Carry out plan
Sequence: 5 9 13 17 21 25
4 4 4 4 4
There is a common difference of 4.
Therefore, the next number in the sequence is 29.
4. Look back.
Answer: 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29
2. Working Backward
A strategy that starts at the end of the problem and works backward.
Example:
Anne has a certain amount of money in her bank account on Friday
morning. During the day she wrote a check for Php 24.50, made an ATM
withdrawal of Php80 and deposited a check for Php 235. At the end of
the day, she saw what her balance was Php 451.25. How much money
did she have in her bank at the beginning of the day?
Solution:
1. Understand the problem.
Given: Php 24.50 check, ATM withdrawal Php80, check
deposit Php 235
Required: Money she had in the bank at the beginning of the
day.
2. Devise a plan
Start with 451.25. Subtract 235, add 80, and then add 24.50.
3. Carry out plan
so, 451.25 – 235 + 80 + 24.50 = Php 320.75
4. Look back
Php 320.75 she had in the bank at the beginning of the day.
y D
Solution: South
1. Understand the problem.
Given: 8:00 AM, Car 1 with 50mph east, Car 2 with 60mph south,
300 miles apart
Required: The time when they will be 300 miles apart.
2. Devise a plan
x = 50t and y = 60t
Since the two directions are at right angle. Pythagorean theorem
can be used to find distance D between the two cars as follows:
𝐷 = √(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 )
3. Carry out plan
We now find the time at which D = 300 miles by solving
√(𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 ) = 300
Square both sides and substitute x and y by 50t and 60t
respectively to obtain the equation
Solve the equation to obtain
(50𝑡)2 + (60𝑡)2 = 3002
2500𝑡 2 + 3600𝑡 2 = 90000
6100𝑡 2 90000
=
6100 6100
𝑡 2 = 14.75
√𝑡 2 = √14.75 t = 3.84 (round to two decimal places) or 3
hours and 51 minutes (to the nearest minute)
4. Look back
The two cars will be 300 miles apart at 8:00 AM + 3h 51’ = 11:51 AM
Example: An Algebra test consists of ten multiple choice questions. Ten points are
given for each correct answer and three points are deducted for each incorrect
answer. If Joshua did all questions and scored 48, how many incorrect answers
did he have?
Solution:
1. Given: 10 questions answered, score = 48, 10 points for each correct
answer, 3 points deducted for each incorrect answer.
Required: the number of correct answers
2. Devise a plan
The number of correct answer (x) + number of incorrect answers (y) = 10
Score = 10(x) – 3(y)
3. Carry out plan
-3 -3 -3 +3 +3 +3