BSIT 1A Learning Material No. 3 Problem Solving and Reasoning ANSWER
BSIT 1A Learning Material No. 3 Problem Solving and Reasoning ANSWER
BSIT 1A Learning Material No. 3 Problem Solving and Reasoning ANSWER
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Inductive Reasoning is the process of gathering information usually through observation and
measurement and then making a conjecture based on the gathered information. Conjecture on the
other hand, is a conclusion from observing data and usually formed by inductive reasoning.
Example 1
Use inductive reasoning to predict the next number.
1, 3, 6, 10, 15, _____
Answer: The first two numbers differ by 2. The second and third numbers differ by 3. It appears
that the difference between any two numbers is always 1 more than the preceding difference.
Since 10 and 15 differ by 5, we predict that the next number in the list will be 6 larger than 15,
which is 21.
Example 2
Find the sum of the first n odd numbers
1=1
1+3=4
1+3+5=9
1 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 16
1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 = 25
1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + 11 = 36
1 + 3 + 5 + 7 + 9 + 11 + 13 = ____
2)
3)
4)
5)
B. Use inductive reasoning to determine the next three terms in the list of numbers below:
1) 50, 25, 0, -25, -50, -75, -100, -125
2) 2, 7, 12, 17, 22, 27, 32, 37
3) 50, 100, 200, 350, 550, 800, 1100, 1450
4) 2/3, 11/3, 20/3, 29/3, 38/3, 47/3, 56/3, 65/3
5) 10, -20, 30, -40, 50, -60, 70, -80
Deductive Reasoning is distinguished from inductive reasoning in that it is the process of reaching
a conclusion by applying general principle and procedure. It is the process of showing that certain
statements follow logically from agreed upon assumption and proven facts.
Example 1
All home improvements cost more than the estimate.
The contractor estimated that my home improvement will cost 35,000.
Conclusion: Thus, my home improvement will cost more than 35,000.
Example 2
All numbers are divisible by 3 if the sum of the digits is divisible by 3. Consider 339.
Solution: The sum of 3, 3, and 9 is 15. Therefore 339 is divisible by 3.
Example 3
Given the equation, 4(3x – 8) + 5 = x – 5, solve for the value of x
Solution: 12x – 32 + 5 = x–5 Distributive Property applied
12x – 27 = x–5 Combined similar term
11x – 27 = -5 Addition Property of Equality applied
11x = 22 Addition Property of Equality applied
x = 2 Multiplication Property of Equality applied
x=5 47 = 47 ✓
2) x + 2(x + 3) = 18 4 + 2(4 + 3) = 18
x + 2x + 6 = 18 4 + 8 + 6 = 18
3x = 18 - 6
3x
3 123
x=4 18 = 18 ✓
3) The sum of two consecutive numbers is 17. What are the numbers?
This question is not possible to answer as the numbers are consecutive and based on the
problem, that is saying their difference is 1. Therefore, You cannot have a difference of 9 when
you change the digits of two numbers that equal 17.
2x + 1 = 17 2(8) + 1 = 17
2x = 17 - 1 16 + 1= 17
2x
2 162
x=8 17 = 17 ✓
n=5 16 = 16 ✓
2) All Gillian Flynn novels are worth reading. The novel Gone Girl is a Gillian Flynn novel. Thus Gone
Girl is worth reading.
Answer: Deductive Reasoning
4) A man inspects 12 taxis, all of which are white, and concludes that all taxis are white.
Answer: Deductive Reasoning
5) I find people with glasses intellectual. Joaquin is wearing glasses. Therefore, Joaquin is intellectual.
Answer: Deductive Reasoning
Another mathematician and philosopher, Gottfried Wilhelm Leibnitz (1646-1716) planned to write a
book on heuristics titled Art of Invention. Of the problem-solving process, Leibnitz wrote, “Nothing is
more important than to see the sources of invention which are, in my opinion, more interesting than the
inventions themselves.” One of the foremost recent mathematicians to make a study of problem solving
was George Polya (1887-1985). He was born in Hungary and moved to the United States in 1940.
The basic problem solving strategy that Polya advocated consisted of the following four steps:
Example 1
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.
Example 2
The sum of two even numbers is 38. Find the two even numbers.
In these examples, 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 use
other techniques in order to arrive at realistic and correct answer. Though, logical shortcuts can be
employed in any problem.
Learning to solve problems is not a difficult task. It can be a huge fun and ultimately challenging.
However, it requires you to think analytically, critically and creatively. Practice doing and solving is the
tough secret why most students and professionals succeed in getting the problem solved and done to
make the moment of solving more enjoyable, interesting and fulfilling.
x + (x + 26) = 364
2x = 364 - 26
2x
2 338
2
x = 169
x + (x + 26) = 364
364 = 364 ✓
2) If the ladders are placed end to end, their combined height is 31.5 ft. One ladder is 6.5 ft shorter
than the other ladder. What are the heights of the two ladders?
Understand the Problem (See)
Given: the combined height if the ladders are placed end to end is 31.5 ft
x + (x - 6.5) = 31.5ft
2x - 6.5 = 31.5 12.5 = therefore the height of the shorter ladder is 12.5 .
2x = 31.5 + 6.5
2x
2 38
2
The heights of the two ladders are 19ft and 12. 5ft.
x + (x - 6.5) = 31.5
19 + 12.5 = 31.5
31.5 = 31.5 ✓
3) Billy paid Php 74.00 for his purchased 8 pieces of bread snacks in the bakery. If the chocolate
bread costs Php 10.00 each while the cheese bread costs Php 8.00 each, how many does each
kind of bread snacks did Billy purchased?
Understand the Problem (See)
Given: Php 74.00 paid for the purchased of 8 pieces of bread snacks in the bakery.
Required: the number of each kind of bread snacks did Billy purchased.
Eq. 1: x + y = 8
Eq. 2: 10x + 8y = 74
or
2x + 0 = 10 10x + 64 - 8x = 74
2x
2 102 10x - 8x = 74 - 64
x=5 2x
2 102
x=5
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
x+y=8
5+y=8
y=8-5
Therefore, there are 5 chocolates and 3 cheese bread snacks with the total number of 8 pieces
bread snacks.
If x = 5 and y = 3, then
Eq. 1: x + y = 8 5+3=8
Example
Find the next number in the sequence.
5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25,...
Solution: We can apply Polya’s 4-steps as guide for solving the problem using the 1st strategy.
Step 1. Understand the problem
Given: 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25,...
Required: The next number in the sequence (number after 25)
4 4 4 4 4
There is a common difference of 4. Therefore, the next number in the sequence is 29.
Example
A number multiplied by 5 then added to the original number, the result is 36. What is the number?
Solution:
Step 1. Understand the problem
Given: 36 as the result of a number multiplied by 5 then added to the original number
Required: Value of the original number
5-1= 4 7-4 =3
12 - 5 = 7
10 - 7 = 3
22 - 12 = 10
35 - 22 = 13 13 - 10 = 3
+
35 + 16
51
6-2= 4 6-4 =2
12 - 6 = 6
8-6 =2
20 - 12 = 8
30 - 20 = 10 10 - 8 =2
+
30 + 12
42
3) The sum of two numbers is 30 while their difference is 10. Find the smaller number.
Let x be the first number
y be the second number
Solution: x + y = 30 x + y = 30
+ x - y = 10 20 + y = 30
2x + 0 = 40 y = 30 - 20
2x
2 40
2
y = 10
x = 20
To checked:
x + y = 30 x - y = 10
20 + 10 = 30 20 - 10 = 10
30 = 30 ✓ 10 = 10 ✓
To checked:
x + y = 30 x - y = 10
15 + 10 = 30 15 - 10 = 10
25 = 25 ✓ 5=5✓
References:
Manlulu, E.A. and Hipolito, L.M.M. (2019) A Course Module for Mathematics in the Modern World.
Mathematics in the Modern World by Romeo M. Daligdig, EdD, Lorimar Publishing Inc., 2019
Mathematics in the Modern World by Cengage, Rex Bookstore Inc, 2018
https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/fibonacci-sequence.html
https://www.livescience.com/37470-fibonacci-sequence.html
https://garyhall.org.uk/maths-problem-solving-strategies.html