Problem Solving

Problem Solving
A. Inductive Reasoning is the process of reaching a general conclusion by examining specific examples.
Ex. 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ___
Consider the following procedure: Pick a number. Multiply the number by 9, add 15 to the
product, divide the sum by 3, and subtract 5.
Use the data in the table and Length of Period of

inductive reasoning to answer each of Pendulum Pendulum
the following questions. 1 1
4 2
a. If a pendulum has a length of 64 units 9 3
what is its period? 16 4
25 5
b. If the length of the pendulum is
36 6
quadrupled, what happens to its
period?
Counterexamples
A statement is a true statement provided that it is true in all cases. If you can find one case for which a
statement is not true, called a counterexample, then the statement is a false statement.
Examples:
x x+3
a. =1 b. = x+1 c. √ x 2+16=x +4
x 3
B. Deductive Reasoning is the process of reaching a conclusion by applying a general assumption, procedures,
or principles.
Example: Use deductive reasoning to establish a conjecture

Pick a number. Multiply the number by 8, add 6 to the product,
divide the sum by 2, and subtract 3.
5+ 48x 3
24x 6+
4÷
1
Logic Puzzles
Each of four neighbors, Sean, Maria, Sarah, and Brian, has a different occupation (doctor, banker,
teacher, or chef). From the following clues, determine the occupation of each neighbor.
1. Maria gets home from work after the banker but before the chef.
2. Sarah, who is the last to get home from work, is not the doctor.
3. The chef and Sarah leave for work at the same time.
4. The banker lives next door to Brian.
3 nuns and 3 cannibals
One Light and Three Switches
There is a lightbulb inside a closet. The door is closed, and you cannot see if the light is on or off
through the door. However, you know the light is off to start. Outside of the closet, there are three
light switches. One of the switches controls the lightbulb in the closet. You can flip the switches
however you want, but once you open the door, you can no longer touch the switches. How do you
figure out without a doubt which switch controls the light?
https://www.mathsisfun.com/puzzles/
Problem Solving with Patterns

Difference Table shows the difference between successive terms of the sequence.
Example: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, …

1, 14, 51, 124, 245, 426, …
Challenge: a. 1, 7, 17, 31, 49, 71, …

b. 9, 4, 3, 12, 37, 84, …
Solve the puzzles.
2x 64x 3 2
10
8+ 9+
9 7 12
3x 15
1
Finding an nth-term formula for a sequence

1. Consider the formula a n=2 n3−n 2.
Determine the first five terms of the sequence.
2. Assume the pattern shown by the squared tiles in the following
figures continues.

a1 a2 a3 a4
a. What is the nth-term formula for the number of tiles in the nth
figure of the sequence?
b. How many tiles are in the 10th figure of the sequence?
c. Which figure will consist of exactly 332 tiles?
Challenge:
n
1. Compute the first five terms of the sequence using the formula a n= .
n+1
2. Determine the nth term formula for the number of square tiles in the nth figure.

a1 a2 a3 a4 a5
Problem-Solving Strategies
Polya’s Four-Step Problem-Solving Strategy

1. Understand the problem.
2. Devise a plan.
3. Carry out the plan
4. Review the solution.
Understand the Problem
 Can you restate the problem in your own words?
 Can you determine what is known about these types of problems?
 Is there ,missing information that, if known, would allow to solve the problem?
 Is there extraneous information that is not needed to solve the problem?
 What is the goal?
Devise a Plan
 Make a list of the known information.
 Make a list of the known information that is needed.
 Draw a diagram.
 Make an organized list that shows all the possibilities.
 Make a table or a chart.
 Work backwards.
 Try to solve a similar but simpler problem.
 Look for a pattern.
 Write an equation. If necessary, define what each variable represents.
 Perform an experiment.
 Guess at a solution and then check your result.
Carry Out the Plan
 Work carefully.
 Keep an accurate and neat record of all your attempts.
 Realize that some of your initial plans will not work and that you may have to devise another plan or modify
your existing plan.
Review the Solution
 Ensure that the solution is consistent with the facts of the problem.
 Interpret the solution in the context of the problem.
 Ask yourself whether there are generalizations of the solutions that could apply to other problem.
Example:
A baseball team won two out of their last four games. In how many different orders could they have two
wins and two losses in four games?
Solution
Understand the Problem

There are many different orders. The team may have lost two straight games and won the last two
(LLWW).

Problem Solving

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Problem Solving

Ex. 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ___

Use the data in the table and Length of Period of

Example: Use deductive reasoning to establish a conjecture

3 nuns and 3 cannibals

One Light and Three Switches

Problem Solving with Patterns

Example: 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, …

Challenge: a. 1, 7, 17, 31, 49, 71, …

Finding an nth-term formula for a sequence

Polya’s Four-Step Problem-Solving Strategy

Understand the Problem

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