3: Problem Solving and

Reasoning
Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. define and understand terminologies;

2. use inductive reasoning to predict patterns; and

3. use Venn diagrams to determine the validity of deductive arguments.

Problem Solving in Mathematics

Problem-solving refers to mathematical tasks that have the potential to provide
intellectual challenges for enhancing your mathematical understanding and
development. It refers to finding solutions and answers to problems using different
methods. Knowing how to solve problems in mathematics requires knowing what to
look for. Mathematical problems often require established procedures and
determining when to apply them. To solve a problem, one must be able to collect the
appropriate information, identify a strategy or strategies, and use the strategy
appropriately.

Problem-solving is a process that involves three basic functions: seeking

information, generating new knowledge, and making decisions. According to George
Polya, there is nothing more specific to mathematics than the four stages of
problem-solving: understanding the problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan,
and looking back.

Method — ways/techniques to get the answer

Answer — a number quantity that the problem is asking for

Solution — whole process of solving the problem

3: Problem Solving and Reasoning 1

 💡 Method+Answer = Solution

Problem — a statement requiring a solution, usually by means of mathematical

operation/geometric construction

Problem Solving Basic Functions

1. Seeking info

2. Generating new knowledge

3. Making Decisions

The problem solver can use either inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning.

Mathematical Reasoning
ability of a person to analyze problem situations & construct logical arguments to
justify the process or hypothesis, to crates both conceptual foundations and
connections, in order for him to be able to process the information.

Hypothesis & Conclusion

Problem-Solving Strategies
Dr. George Polya, a prominent figure in the world of mathematics and a retired
Stanford professor, was known to the public for his book “How to Solve It”, and for
his efforts to teach math teachers how to teach math. He was also regarded as the
father of the modern emphasis in math education on problem solving

Polya created his famous 4-step process for problem solving:

1. Understand the problem

3: Problem Solving and Reasoning 2

 2. Devise a plan (translate)

3. Carry out the plan (solve)

4. Look back (check & interpret)

Inductive Reasoning
The term “inductive reasoning” is reasoning from a specific case or cases to derive a
general rule. It is sometimes referred to as bottom-up logic. It draws inferences
from observations to generalize. In doing so, it recognizes that conclusions may not
be certain.

Process of reaching a general conclusion by examining specific examples.

Based on just pure observation.

💡 Conclusion formed by using inductive reasoning = Conjecture (it

may correct/not)

Use inductive reasoning to predict a number

3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ? = 18

1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ? = 21

Use inductive reasoning to make a conjecture

about the relationship bet the size of the resulting number and the size of the
original number

Use inductive reasoning to solve an application

We conjecture that ——

Counter Examples — contradict the assumption and show

that the statement is false
a true statement provided that is true in all cases

Inference can be done in four stages:

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 1. Observation – collecting facts without bias.

2. Analysis – classifying the facts; identifying patterns of regularity.

3. Inference – from the patterns, making generalizations about the relations

between the
facts.

4. Confirmation – testing the inference through further observation.

Example:

1. Look carefully at the following figures. Then, use inductive reasoning to

make a conjecture about the next figure in the pattern.

If you have carefully observed the pattern, maybe you came up with the
figure below:

2. Look at the pattern below. Can you draw the next figure or next set of
dots using inductive reasoning?

The trick is to see that one dot is always placed between and above two
dots. Also, the next figure always has one more dot at the very bottom
row. keeping this in mind, your next figure should look like this:

3: Problem Solving and Reasoning 4

 3. Take a look at this table that shows multiplication as repeated addition:

What do you notice about the signs of the sums? Since the sum is
always negative, the pattern
suggests that the product of a positive integer and a negative integer is
negative.

4. Look at the following patterns:

Every time the factor on the left is decreased by 1, the answer is

increased by 4.

However, the pattern suggests that a negative times a negative is a

positive.

3: Problem Solving and Reasoning 5

 Deductive Reasoning
Is sometimes referred to as top-down logic. It starts with a general case and
deduces specific instances.
process of reaching conclusion by applying general assumptions, procedure, or
principles.

classify every step by a reason

Commonly used in Geometry.

Example:

For example, second-degree equations in one variable can be solved using

quadratic formula. To solve the equation −3x^2 − 5x + 2 = 0, apply the quadratic
formula because the given equations is a second-degree equation in one
variable. Therefore,

In the example, a general rule is applied to a specific rule. You can reason out
that it is valid to apply general (quadratic formula) to the specific equation −3x^2
− 5x + 2 = 0 since it is a second-degree equation.

3: Problem Solving and Reasoning 6

 Exercise:

1. Ten less than four times a number is 14. What is the number? 4x - 10 = 14; 6

2. The sum of three consecutive numbers is 129. What is the difference between the
largest and the smallest number? 2

3. A man earned x pesos in 10 days and spent y pesos during each of those days.
Write an algebraic expression to determine how many pesos he saved per day.

4. When 8 is added to two times a number, the result is 50. Find the number.

5. In an Algebra test, the highest grade was 50 points higher than the lowest grade.
The sum of two grades was 180. Find the lowest grade.

3: Problem Solving and Reasoning 7