Module 3 – PROBLEM SOLVING &

REASONING
GE 112
Mathematics in the Modern World

Eveyth P. Deligero
Faculty, Math & Stat Department
College of Arts & Sciences
University of Southeastern Philippines
 Outlline
This module contains the following:
1. Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
2. Polya’s 4-step in Problem Solving
3. Problem Solving Strategies
4. Mathematical Problems Involving Patterns
5. Recreational Problem Using Mathematics
6. Module Exercises
7. References

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 Inductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning is the process of reaching
a general conclusion by examining specific
examples.

Example 1. Use inductive reasoning to predict the

next number in each of the following:
a. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ?
b. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ?
c. 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, ?

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 Inductive Reasoning
A conclusion reached based on inductive reasoning is
called conjecture. A conjecture may or may not be
correct.

Example 2[1]. Consider the following procedure. Pick

a number. Multiply the number by 8, add 6 to the
product, divide the sum by 2, and subtract 3.
Original Number 1 2 5 10
Number Produced

Conjecture?

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 Counter-examples

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 Deductive Reasoning
Deductive Reasoning is the process of reaching
a conclusion by applying general assumptions,
procedures, or principles.

Example 4[1]. Use deductive reasoning to show

that the following procedure produces a number
that is four times the original number.
Procedure. Pick a number. Multiply the number
by 8, add 6 to the product, divide the sum by 2,
and subtract 3.

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 Deductive Reasoning
Solution. Let n represent the original number.

Multiply the number by 8 : 8n

Add 6 to the product : 8n + 6
Divide the sum by 2 : 4n + 3
Subtract by 3 : 4n

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 Inductive vs. Deductive
Example 5[1]. Determine types of Reasoning
a. During the past 10 years, a tree has produced
plums every other year. Last year the tree did not
produce plums, so this year the tree will produce
plums.
b. All home improvements cost more than the
estimate.The contractor estimated that my home
improvement cost Php100k. Thus my home
improvement will cost more than P100k.
c. I know I will win a jackpot on this slot machine in
the next 10 tries, because it has not paid out any
money during the last 45 tries.

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 Logic Puzzle
Example 6[1]. Each of four neighbors, Sean, Maria,
Sarah and Brian, has a different occupation (editor,
banker, chef or dentist). From the following clues,
determine the occupation of each neighbor.
1. Maria gets home from work after the banker but
before the dentist.
2. Sarah, who is the last to get home from work, is
not the editor.
3. The dentist and Sarah leave for work at the same
time.
4. The banker lives next door to Brian.

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 Solve the Logic Puzzle

Editor Banker Chef Dentist

Sean
Maria
Sarah
Brian

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 Solution to the Logic Puzzle

Editor Banker Chef Dentist

Sean /
Maria /
Sarah /
Brian /

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 Logic Puzzle (Exercise)
Brianna, Ryan, Tyler and Ashley were recently
elected as the new class officers (president, vice
president, secretary and treasurer) of the
freshmen class. From the following clues,
determine which position each holds:
1. Ashley is younger than the president but older
than the treasurer;
2. Brianna and the secretary are both the same
age, and they are the youngest members of
the group;
3. Tyler and the secretary are next-door
neighbors.

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 KenKen Puzzles (Rules)
For a 3 by 3 puzzle, fill in each box (square) of the grid with one
of the numbers 1, 2, or 3.
For a 4 by 4 puzzle, fill in each box of the grid with one of the
numbers 1, 2, 3 or 4.
For a n by n puzzle, fill in each box of the grid with one of the
numbers 1, 2, 3, …, n.
Grids range in size from a 3 by 3 up to a 9 by 9.
• Do not repeat a numbers in any row or column
• The numbers in each heavily outlines set of squares, called
cages, must combine (in some order) to produce the target
number in the top left corner of the case using the
mathematical operation indicated.
• Cages with just one square should be filled in with the target
number.
• A number can be repeated within a cage as long as it is not
in the same row or column.

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Example of Ken-Ken Puzzle

3 Linear Span, Basis and Dimension 14

More Examples

3 Linear Span, Basis and Dimension 15

 Problem Solving Strategy

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 Polya’s Steps in Problem Solving

I. Understand the Problem II. Devise a Plan

IV. Review the Solution III. Carry Out the Plan

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 I. 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 you to solve the problem?
• Is there extraneous information that is not
needed to solve the problem?
• What is the goal?

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 II. Devise a Plan
• Make a list of the known information
• Make a list of the 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 patter
• Write an equation.
• Perform experiment
• Guess at a solution and then check your result

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 III. 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

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 IV. Review the Solution
Once you have found a solution, check 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 solution that could apply to other
problems.

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 Polya’s 4-step in P-S Strategy
Example 7.
A. If five times the number plus thrice the number
is 104. What is the number? Use Polya’s 4-step
strategy in solving this problem.

B. The sum of three consecutive integers is 72.

What are the numbers?

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 Polya’s 4-step in P-S Strategy
Example 8. Mr. Juan de la Cruz wants to study at
the University of Southeastern Philippines
(USeP) Obrero Campus. He needs to take the
USeP Admission Test. During the application for
examination, he is required to write his first,
second and third priority courses. Assuming that
there are 36 courses offered in USeP Obrero
Campus and choices will not be repeated, how
many possible choices will Mr. dela Cruz can
have?

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 Problem Solving with Pattern

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 Problem Solving with Pattern
Example 8. What will be the next terms of the
following sequence
a. 2, 4, 6, 8, ?
b. 1, 4, 9, 16, ?
c. 1, 2, 4, 7, ?
d. 3, 3, 3, 3, ?
e. 1, 8, 27, 64, ?

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 The Fibonacci Sequence
Leonardo de Pisa (Fibonacci) wrote the
Fibonacci’s Rabbit Problem

At the beginning of a month, you are given a pair of new

born rabbits. After a month the rabbit have produced no
offspring; however, every month thereafter, the pair of
rabbits produces another pair of rabbits. The offspring
produce in exactly the same manner. If none of the
rabbits dies, how many pair of rabbits will there be at the
start of each succeeding month?

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 Fibonacci’s Rabbit Problem

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 Fibonacci Properties

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 Binet’s Formula for Fibonacci

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 Polygonal Numbers
Ancient mathematicians were interested in the
geometric shapes associated with numbers. For
instance, they noticed that triangles can be
constructed using 1, 3, 6, 10 or 15 dots, see
Figure below. The numbers 1, 3, 6,10, 15, … are
triangular numbers. The Greeks called the
numbers 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, … the square numbers
and the numbers 1, 5, 12, 22, 35, … the
pentagonal numbers.

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 Polygonal Numbers

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 Polygonal Numbers
Example 11. Extend the figure above by
constructing drawings of the sixth, seventh, eight,
ninth and tenth triangular numbers, square
numbers and pentagonal numbers. How many
dots are needed? Can you guess the formula?
6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

Triangular
Numbers
Square
Numbers
Pentagonal
Numbers

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 Polygonal Numbers Formula

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 References
1. Aufmann, Lockwood, Nation, Clegg.
Mathematical Excursion
2. www.slideshare.net
3. www.projectmaths.ie

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