MODULE 4 – PROBLEM SOLVING and REASONING

INTRODUCTION
Alfred A. Montapert once warned, “Expect Problems and eat them for breakfast.” Indeed men face
problems of varying complexity from time to time. Problems have become integral in one’s daily affairs and
form the spectrum by which a person’s character is sometimes defined.
This module will start with kinds of reasoning like inductive and deductive reasoning, intuition and proof,
followed by Polya’s 4-steps in problem solving that will help you solve problems through organized methods
and approaches specially in solving problems involving finances.
You are expected to study this lesson and accomplish your tasks from September ____ to October ____,
2020.

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this module, you should have been able to:
a. use different types of reasoning to justify statements and arguments made about mathematics and
mathematical concept;
b. solve mathematical problems involving finances following Polya’s 4 steps in problem solving;
c. solve recreational problems involving mathematics
d. organize one’s methods and approaches for proving and solving problems.

MOTIVATION

SURVIVAL SCENARIO

Say you are stranded on an island with your group of

friends, knowing that help will not arrive in three days. The
problem is that the group has a limited amount of food and
water and must create shelter from items around the island.
How will you make it through the three days as safely and
comfortably as possible?

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 CONTENT
Problems arise inevitably and so they must be dealt with objectively and successfully. Mathematics is not
just about numbers; much of it is problem solving and reasoning. Problem solving and reasoning are basically
inseparable. The art of reasoning is the skill needed in exemplifying the critical thinking and problem solving
ability.

Reasoning is the practice of stating ideas clearly and precisely to arrive at a certain conclusion. In our life,
we often make judgement and conclusion based on facts and observation. These are not always true. Thus, we
have to know the different ways of arriving at accurate conclusions.

Kinds of Reasoning

1. The Deductive and Inductive Reasoning

- Deductive and inductive reasoning are methods of making inferences, used in developing statements about
some mathematical concepts or phenomena.
- Below illustrates the distinction between the two processes:
Deductive Reasoning Inductive Reasoning

General Principle Specific

Cases
Pattern Pattern
Specific
Cases General Statement

 Moves from general principles or statements  Moves from specific observations to general
to specific conclusions. claims.
 Relies on the idea of true statements having a  The process of gathering specific information,
consequence. usually through observation and then making
a conclusion based on the gathered
information.
Example 1. Consider the following arguments

Argument 1: The sum of two odd integers is an even number. 3 and 5 are odd integers. Thus, the sum of
3 and 5 is even.
Argument 2: 3 + 5 = 8, 7 + 11 = 18, -5 + 9 = 4. Therefore, the sum of two odd integers is even.

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  In argument 1, the first is a general principle, while the second statement is an information based
from the given principle. The third statement is the conclusion, which is a specific statement drawn
from the general principle. Thus, Argument 1 uses the deductive form of reasoning. (rule then the
example).
 In argument 2, the first statement is the premise while the second is a conclusion. Argument 2 uses
the inductive form of reasoning. As can be observed, the premise consists of specific cases while
the conclusion is the general principle of what is claimed in the premise (examples before the rule).
Example 2. In a right triangle, the two acute angles are complementary. Triangle ABC has B = 90°.
Therefore, A + C = 90°

 Here, the premise is a known property of right triangles. The second statement
implies that triangle ABC is a right triangle with ∠𝐴 and ∠𝐵 being acute. The
third is the conclusion which is a specific statement drawn from the general
principle, hence, it uses deductive reasoning.

Example 3. Triangle ABC is a right triangle with A = 30° and C = 60°. A + C = 90°. Therefore, in a
right triangle, the two acute angles are complementary.

 The example uses inductive reasoning. As can be observed, the premise consists
of specific cases while the conclusion is the general principle of what is claimed
in the premise.

Example 4. All numbers ending in “0” and “5” are divisible by 5. The number 35 ends with a”5”, hence
it is divisible by 5.

 The given uses deductive reasoning. From a general rule to a specific case.

Example 5. The Chair in the living room is red. The chair in the dining room is red. The chair in the bed
room is red. Therefore, all chairs in the house are red.

 The given uses inductive reasoning. From observations or specific cases to a

general conclusion based from the observations.
2. Intuition
- Intuition is similar to guessing or also called reasoning by common sense.
- It requires less mental activity and highly subjective.
- It is the ability to acquire knowledge without proof, evidence, or conscious
reasoning.

Examples:
Given these two figure , you can identify which is bigger by
using intuition and without actually measuring.

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 Saying “I think I will like this subject” after your first meeting in class is an
intuition.

When you’re not sure with your final answer to an item in an exam but you have a
gut feeling that it is the correct answer is a reasoning by intuition.

3. Proof
- Shows a statement to be true using definitions, theorems & postulates, conclusion of some
other previously accepted statements, algebraic properties.
Example If x – 7 = 10, then x = 17. To prove that the statement is true, we have to solve for x.
x – 7 = 10
x – 7 + 7 = 10 + 7 By the use of Addition Property of Equality, we can show
x = 17 that the value of x is 17. Thus, the statement is true.

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 REFERENCES
Romeo M. Daligdig, EdD (2019). Mathematics in the Modern World. Problem Solving and

Reasoning. Lorimar Publishing,Inc. 40 – 49

Earnhart, R T., and Adina E M. (2018). Mathematics in the Modern World. Problem Solving and

Reasoning. C & E Publishing,Inc. 78 – 88

Aduana, Nick L. (2012). Mathematics of Investment. Quezon City: C&E Publishing,Inc.

Matthew Oldridge (July 16, 2019). Martin Gardner and Recreational Mathematics. Retrieved from

https://medium.com/@MatthewOldridge/recreational-mathematics-d72dfbd68226

James Yolkowski (January 12, 2015) Recreational Mathematics. Retrieved from

https://mathlair.allfunandgames.ca/recreational.php

(nd) Retrieved from. https://kami.com.ph/112571-how-to-play-sungka.html

https://www.hostos.cuny.edu/Hostos/media/Office-of-the-President/Institutional-Research-

Assessment/Problem-Solving-Rubric.pdf

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UPLOADING, OR POSTING ONLINE IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY IS
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