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SFTopic 1-Problem Solving and Reasoning

Inductive and deductive reasoning are two forms of reasoning used in problem solving. Inductive reasoning involves looking for patterns to make generalizations, while deductive reasoning uses logical arguments and general principles to draw specific conclusions. The document provides examples of using each type of reasoning to solve problems and make conjectures. It also outlines Polya's four-step problem solving process of understanding the problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and looking back.

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Alyssa Crizel Calotes
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229 views26 pages

SFTopic 1-Problem Solving and Reasoning

Inductive and deductive reasoning are two forms of reasoning used in problem solving. Inductive reasoning involves looking for patterns to make generalizations, while deductive reasoning uses logical arguments and general principles to draw specific conclusions. The document provides examples of using each type of reasoning to solve problems and make conjectures. It also outlines Polya's four-step problem solving process of understanding the problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and looking back.

Uploaded by

Alyssa Crizel Calotes
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Problem

Solving
and Reasoning
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Inductive and deductive reasoning are two fundamental
forms of reasoning for mathematicians.

Inductive reasoning involves looking for patterns and making


generalizations.
For example, when you notice that all ne dogs you see around you are black and
white so you make the conclusion that all dogs in the world are black and white.
Inductive or deductive reasoning can be used when solving problems.
The type of reasoning that forms a conclusion based on the
examination of specific examples is called inductive reasoning. The
conclusion formed by using inductive reasoning is often called
conjecture, since it may or may not be correct.
Illustrative Examples
1. Consider the following procedure:
a. Pick a number.
b. Multiply the number by 8
1-4 , 2-8
c. Add 6 to the product
d. Divide the sum by 2, and
e. Subtract 3.

Complete the above procedure for several diifferent number. Use inductive
reasoning to make a conjecture about the relationship between the size of the
resulting number and the size of the original number.
2. Consider the following procedure:
a. Pick a number.
b. Multiply the number by 9,
c. Add 15 to the product
d. Divide the sum by 3, and
e. Subtract 5.

Complete the above procedure for several diifferent number. Use inductive
reasoning to make a conjecture about the relationship between the size of the
resulting number and the size of the original number.
Another type of reasoning is called deductive reasoning. Deductive
reasoning is distinguished from inductive reasoning in that it is the
process of reaching a conclusion by applying general principles and
procedures.

Deductive reasoning involves making a logical argument, drawing


conclusions, and applying generalizations to specific situations.

Illustrative
Examples
1. If a number is divisible by 2, then it must be even.
12 is divisible by 2.
Therefore, 12 is an even number.

2. All Mathematics teachers know how to play Sudoku.


Resty is a Math teacher.
Therefore, Resty knows how to play Sudoku.

3. If a student is a DOST scholar, he receives a monthly allowance.


If a student receives a monthly allowance, his parents will be happy.
Therefore, if a student is a DOST scholar, his parents will be happy.
Logic Puzzles can be solved by deductive reasoning. A chart that enables us
to display the given information in a visual manner helps in the solution.

Example: Each of four neighbors, Mark, Zen, Linda, and Roy, has a different
occupation (teacher, banker, chef, or broker).
From the following clues, determine the occupation of each neighbor.

CLUES
1. Zen gets home from work after the banker but before the broker.
2. Linda, who is the last to get home from work, is not the teacher.
3. The broker and Linda leave for work at the same time.
4. The banker lives next door to Roy.
Solution
From clue 1, Zen is neither the banker nor the broker.
From clue 2, Linda is not the teacher.
We know from clue 1 that the banker is not the last to get home, and we know from
clue 2 that Linda is the last to get home; therefore, Linda is not the banker.
From clue 3, Linda is not the broker.
As a result, Linda is the Chef, it could not be Zen.
Zen, therefore, is the Teacher.
From clue 4, Roy is not the banker.
And since Linda is the Chef and Zen is the Teacher, Roy must be the Broker. Thus,
Mark is the Banker, the only occupation not filled up.
Activity: Inductive or deductive
1.Every quiz has been easy. Therefore, the test will be easy.
2. All students in this class play guitar.
Sam is a student of this class.
Therefore, Sam plays guitar.
3. The teacher used PPT in the last few classes. Therefore, the teacher will
use PPT tomorrow.
4. In the sequence 3,6,9,15, ____, the next term i going to be 18.
5. It usually takes 2-3 days for a delivery to ship from the warehouse to your
door via most major shipping services. You ordered on Tuesday morning, so its
safe to assume your package will arrive Thursday or Friday.
Inductive Reasoning Deductive Reasoning

Someone who uses INDUCTIVE DEDUCTIVE reasoning is a specific


reasoning makes specific observations conclusion follows a general theory.
and then draws a general conclusion. General to specific.
Specific to general When you're using deductive
When you're using inductive reasoning, reasoning, your conclusion will be
correct observations won't necessarily correct if all the statements you say
lead you to a correct general is correct.
conclusion.
Polya's Problem Solving

George Polya, a Hungarian mathematician,


described the methods of problem solving in
his book How to Solve It (1945). This systematic
process for solving problems is now referred to
as the Polya 4-Step Problem-Solving Process.
Why Problem Solving??

Once, at an informal meeting, a social


scientist asked a math professor, “What’s
the main goal of teaching mathematics?”
The reply was, “Problem solving.”

In return, the mathematician asked, “What


is the main goal of teaching the social
sciences?” Once more the answer was,
“Problem solving.”
Who Solves Problems??

All successful engineers, scientists, social scientists,


lawyers, accountants, doctors, business managers,
and so on, have to be good problem solvers.
Although the problems that people encounter may be
very diverse, there are common elements and an
underlying structure that can help to facilitate
problem solving.
Step 1: Understand the Problem

Identify what you are trying to find.


Summarize the information that is available in your
own words.
Determine if the information available is enough, ie.
Do you need a formula, etc.?
Strip the problem of irrelevant details.
Don’t impose conditions that do not exist.
Step 2: Devise a Plan
Is this problem similar to another problem you have solved?
Can one of the Problem Solving Strategies be used?
Often a considerable amount of creativity is required to formulate a plan.
Strategies for Problem Solving A Strategy is defined as an artful means to an end.
Make a chart or table.
Look for a pattern.
Draw a picture or diagram.
Eliminate impossible situations.
Work Backwards.
Guess, test, and revise.
Use a variable.
Design a model.
Try a simpler version of the problem.
Use reasoning.
Step 3: Carry Out the Plan

Implement the strategy or strategies that you have chosen until the problem is solved
or until a new course of action is suggested.
Give yourself a reasonable amount of time in which to solve the problem. If you are
not successful, seek hints from others or put the problem aside for a while.
Don’t expect to solve correctly and immediately all problems.
Problem Solving takes time and persistence. Don’t be afraid of starting over. Often,
a fresh start and a new strategy will lead to success.
Step 4: Look Back

Interpret the results into a sentence with your own words.


Check the results to be sure the solution is correct.
Does your answer satisfy the statement of the problem? Does it make
sense?
Ask if there is another way to solve the problem.
Ask if there are other problems that can be solved by using the same
techniques used in this problem.
Make a point of thinking about the strategy that finally worked for this
type of problem for future reference.
Recreational Problems using Mathematics

1. Sudoku
Sudoku is a logic-based, combinatorial
number-placement puzzle. In classic
sudoku, the objective is to fill a 9×9 grid
with digits so that each column, each row,
and each of the nine 3×3 subgrids that
compose the grid contain all of the digits
from 1 to 9.
Matchstick puzzle
Magic Square

a square array of numbers, usually positive integers, is


called a magic square if the sums of the numbers in
each row, each column, and both main diagonals are
the same.
How many triangles?
Palindrome
"Mistakes are proof that
you are trying"

SOLVED

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