How can students improve math problem solving

skills?
Principles for teaching problem solving
1. Model a useful problem-solving method. Problem solving can be difficult and sometimes
tedious. ...
2. Teach within a specific context. ...
3. Help students understand the problem. ...
4. Take enough time. ...
5. Ask questions and make suggestions. ...
6. Link errors to misconceptions.

What are the 7 problem solving techniques?

What are problem solving skills?
 Identify and define the problem.
 Come up with possible solutions.
 Evaluate the options.
 Choose the best solution.
 Implement the solution.
 Evaluate the outcome.
What are the 10 problem-solving strategies?

The 10 problem solving strategies included in

this poster set are:
 Guess and check.
 Make a table or chart.
 Draw a picture or diagram.
 Act out the problem.
 Find a pattern or use a rule.
 Check for relevant or irrelevant information.
 Find smaller parts of a large problem.
 Make an organized list.
More items...

What is problem solving techniques in mathematics?

Polya's 4-step process for solving problems

The steps are as follows: Understand the problem. Devise a plan. Carry out the
plan. Look back and reflect.Jun 3, 2022

17 Maths Problem Solving Strategies to

Boost your Learning
Worded problems getting the best of you? With this list of maths problem-solving strategies, you'll
overcome any maths hurdle that comes your way.

Math Minds

Friday, 3rd June 2022

CONTENTS

 What are strategies?

 Understand the problem
 Devise a plan
 Carry out the plan
 Look back and reflect
 Practise makes progress

Problem-solving is a critical life skill that everyone needs. Whether you're dealing with everyday
issues or complex challenges, being able to solve problems effectively can make a big difference to
your quality of life.
 While there is no one 'right' way to solve a problem, having a toolkit of different techniques that you
can draw upon will give you the best chance of success. In this article, we'll explore 17 different math
problem-solving strategies you can start using immediately to deepen your learning and improve your
skills.

Contents

 What are strategies?

 Understand the problem
 Devise a plan
 Carry out the plan
 Look back and reflect
 Practise makes progress

What are maths problem-solving strategies?

Before we get into the strategies themselves, let's take a step back and answer the question: what are
these strategies? In simple terms, these are methods we use to solve mathematical problems—
essential for anyone learning how to study maths. These can be anything from asking open-ended
questions to more complex concepts like the use of algebraic equations.

The beauty of these techniques is they go beyond strictly mathematical application. It's more about
understanding a given problem, thinking critically about it and using a variety of methods to find a
solution.

Polya's 4-step process for solving problems

We're going to use Polya's 4-step model as the framework for our discussion of problem-solving
activities. This was developed by Hungarian mathematician George Polya and outlined in his 1945
book How to Solve It. The steps are as follows:

 Understand the problem

 Devise a plan

 Carry out the plan

 Look back and reflect

We'll go into more detail on each of these steps as well as take a look at some specific problem-
solving strategies that can be used at each stage.

Understand the problem

This may seem like an obvious one, but it's crucial that you take the time to understand what the
problem is asking before trying to solve it. Especially with a math word problem, in which the
question is often disguised in language, it's easy for children to misinterpret what's being asked.

Here are some questions you can ask to help you understand the problem:

 Do I understand all the words used in the problem?

 What am I asked to find or show?

 Can I restate the problem in my own words?

 Can I think of a picture or diagram that might help me understand the problem?

 Is there enough information to enable me to find a solution?

 Is there anything I need to find out first in order to find the answer?

 What information is extra or irrelevant?

Once you've gone through these questions, you should have a good understanding of what the
problem is asking. Now let's take a look at some specific strategies that can be used at this stage.
1. Read the problem aloud

This is a great strategy for younger students who are still learning to read. By reading the problem
aloud, they can help to clarify any confusion and better understand what's being asked. Teaching older
students to read aloud slowly is also beneficial as it encourages them to internalise each word
carefully.

2. Summarise the information

Using dot points or a short sentence, list out all the information given in the problem. You can even
underline the keywords to focus on the important information. This will help to organise your
thoughts and make it easier to see what's given, what's missing, what's relevant and what isn't.

3. Create a picture or diagram

This is a no-brainer for visual learners. By drawing a picture,let's say with division problems, you can
better understand what's being asked and identify any information that's missing. It could be a simple
sketch or a more detailed picture, depending on the problem.

4. Act it out

Visualising a scenario can also be helpful. It can enable students to see the problem in a different way
and develop a more intuitive understanding of it. This is especially useful for math word problems that
are set in a particular context. For example, if a problem is about two friends sharing candy, kids can
act out the problem with real candy to help them understand what's happening.

5. Use keyword analysis

What does this word tell me? Which operations do I need to use? Keyword analysis involves asking
questions about the words in a problem in order to work out what needs to be done. There are certain
key words that can hint at what operation you need to use.

Add

Subtract

Multiply

Divide

Altogether

Difference

Product

Evenly

In all

How many more?

Times

Share

Total

How many left?

Groups of

Split

Plus

Remove

Factor of

Equal

Sum

Left over

Of

Distribute

Together

Less than

Every

Each

Combined

Minus
Triple

Equal parts

Devise a plan

Once you understand the problem, it's time to start thinking about how you're going to solve it. This is
where having a plan is vital. By taking the time to think about your approach, you can save yourself a
lot of time and frustration later on.

There are many methods that can be used to figure out a pathway forward, but the key is choosing an
appropriate one that will work for the specific problem you're trying to solve. Not all students
understand what it means to plan a problem so we've outlined some popular problem-solving
techniques during this stage.

6. Look for a pattern

Sometimes, the best way to solve a problem is to look for a pattern. This could be a number, a shape
pattern or even just a general trend that you can see in the information given. Once you've found it,
you can use it to help you solve the problem.

7. Guess and check

While not the most efficient method, guess and check can be helpful when you're struggling to think
of an answer or when you're dealing with multiple possible solutions. To do this, you simply make a
guess at the answer and then check to see if it works. If it doesn't, you make another systematic guess
and keep going until you find a solution that works.
8. Working backwards

Regressive reasoning, or working backwards, involves starting with a potential answer and working
your way back to figure out how you would get there. This is often used when trying to solve
problems that have multiple steps. By starting with the end in mind, you can work out what each
previous step would need to be in order to arrive at the answer.

9. Use a formula

There will be some problems where a specific formula needs to be used in order to solve it. Let's say
we're calculating the cost of flooring panels in a rectangular room (6m x 9m) and we know that the
panels cost $15 per sq. metre.

There is no mention of the word 'area', and yet that is exactly what we need to calculate. The problem
requires us to use the formula for the area of a rectangle (A = l x w) in order to find the total cost of the
flooring panels.

10. Eliminate the possibilities

When there are a lot of possibilities, one approach could be to start by eliminating the answers that
don't work. This can be done by using a process of elimination or by plugging in different values to
see what works and what doesn't.

11. Use direct reasoning

Direct reasoning, also known as top-down or forward reasoning, involves starting with what you
know and then using that information to try and solve the problem. This is often used when there is a
lot of information given in the problem.

By breaking the problem down into smaller chunks, you can start to see how the different pieces fit
together and eventually work out a solution.

12. Solve a simpler problem

One of the most effective methods for solving a difficult problem is to start by solving a simpler
version of it. For example, in order to solve a 4-step linear equation with variables on both sides, you
could start by solving a 2-step one. Or if you're struggling with the addition of algebraic fractions, go
back to solving regular fraction addition first.

Once you've mastered the easier problem, you can then apply the same knowledge to the challenging
one and see if it works.

13. Solve an equation

Another common problem-solving technique is setting up and solving an equation. For instance, let's
say we need to find a number. We know that after it was doubled, subtracted from 32, and then
divided by 4, it gave us an answer of 6. One method could be to assign this number a variable, set up
an equation, and solve the equation by 'backtracking and balancing the equation'.

Carry out the plan

Now that you have a plan, it's time to implement it. This is where you'll put your problem-solving
skills to the test and see if your solution actually works. There are a few things to keep in mind as you
execute your plan:
14. Be systematic

When trying different methods or strategies, it's important to be systematic in your approach. This
means trying one problem-solving strategy at a time and not moving on until you've exhausted all
possibilities with that particular approach.

15. Check your work

Once you think you've found a solution, it's important to check your work to make sure that it actually
works. This could involve plugging in different values or doing a test run to see if your solution works
in all cases.

16. Be flexible

If your initial plan isn't working, don't be afraid to change it. There is no one 'right' way to solve a
problem, so feel free to try different things, seek help from different resources and continue until you
find a more efficient strategy or one that works.

17. Don't give up

It's important to persevere when trying to solve a difficult problem. Just because you can't see a
solution right away doesn't mean that there isn't one. If you get stuck, take a break and come back to
the problem later with fresh eyes. You might be surprised at what you're able to see after taking some
time away from it.

Look back and reflect

Once you've solved the problem, take a step back and reflect on the process that you went
through. Most middle school students forget this fundamental step. This will help you to
understand what worked well and what could be improved upon next time.