Chapter III: Problem

Solving and Reasoning

GNED 03
MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD
Intended Learning Outcome
After the students have gone through this chapter, they should be able to:
use different types of reasoning to justify statements and arguments
made about mathematics and mathematical concepts
write clear and logical proofs
solve problems involving patterns and recreational problems following
Polya’s four steps; and
organize one’s methods and approaches for proving and solving
problems
Chapter III: Problem
Solving and Reasoning

INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE REASONING | INTUITION, PROOF AND CERTAINTY | POLYA’S FOUR STEPS TO
PROBLEM-SOLVING | PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGIES | MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS INVOLVING PATTERNS
| RECREATIONAL PROBLEMS USING MATHEMATICS
Mathematics consists of skills (basic arithmetical
processes and the algorithms) and processes (the ways
of applying these skills)
Mathematical Reasoning
enables a student to use all other mathematical skills
Inductive reasoning
refers to the process of making generalized decisions after
observing, and/or witnessing repeated specific instances of
something

The conclusion formed by using inductive reasoning is often

called a conjecture, since it may or may not be correct.
Use Inductive Reasoning to Predict a Number
Example 1.

Use inductive reasoning to predict the most probable next

number in each of the following lists.
a. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ?
b. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ?
Use Inductive Reasoning to Make a Conjecture
Example 2.

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. Complete the above procedure for
several different numbers. Use inductive reasoning to make a conjecture about the
relationship between the size of the resulting number and the size of the original
number.
Galileo Galilei (1564– 1642)

He used inductive reasoning to discover that the

time required for a pendulum to complete one
swing, , called the period of the pendulum
Use Inductive Reasoning to Solve an Application
Example 3.

Use the data in the table and inductive reasoning to answer each of the following. a.
If a pendulum has a length of 25 units, what is its period? b. If the length of a
pendulum is quadrupled, what happens to its period?
Conclusions based on inductive reasoning may be incorrect.
Counterexamples
A statement is a true statement if and only if 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.
Find a Counterexample
Example 4.

Verify that each of the following statements is a false statement by finding a

counterexample.

For all x:
|x| > 0
x² > x
√x² = x
 Deductive reasoning
refers to the process of taking the information gathered from
general observations and making specific decisions based on
that information

the process of reaching a conclusion by applying general

assumptions, procedures, or principles
Use Deductive Reasoning to Establish a Conjecture
Example 5.

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
Inductive Reasoning vs.
Deductive Reasoning
 Examples of deductive reasoning:

1st Premise: All numbers ending in 0 and 5 are divisible by 5.

2nd Premise: The number 35 ends with a 5.
Conclusion: Therefore, 35 is divisible by 5.

1st Premise: All squares are rectangles.

2nd Premise: All rectangles have four sides.
Conclusion: Therefore, all squares have four sides.

1st Premise: Cacti are plants.

2nd Premise: All plants perform photosynthesis.
Conclusion: Cacti perform photosynthesis.

1st Premise: All men are mortal.

2nd Premise: Math teachers are men.
Conclusion: Math teachers are mortal.
Examples of inductive reasoning:
1st Premise: John is an excellent swimmer.
2nd Premise: John’s family has a swimming pool.
Conclusion: John’s sister Mary must also be an excellent swimmer.

1st Premise: Elijah is good-looking.

2nd Premise: Elijah is well-behaved.
Conclusion: Therefore, all good-looking are well-behaved

1st Premise: The coin pulled from a bag is a penny.

2nd Premise: A second coin from the bag is a penny.
Conclusion: Therefore, all the coins in the bag are pennies.

1st Premise: Children in the day-care center are playful.

2nd Premise: Children in the day-care center like to play with Legos.
Conclusion: Therefore, playful children like to play Legos.
Determine Types of Reasoning
Example 6.

Determine whether each of the following arguments is an example

of inductive reasoning or deductive 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 my home improvement will cost $35,000. Thus
my home improvement will cost more than $35,000.
Determine Types of Reasoning
Example 6.

Determine whether each of the following arguments is an example

of inductive reasoning or deductive 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 my home improvement will cost $35,000. Thus
my home improvement will cost more than $35,000.
deductive reasoning
Some logic puzzles can be solved by using deductive reasoning and
a chart that enables us to display the given information in a visual
manner.
Solve a Logic Puzzle
Example 7.

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.
Solve a Logic Puzzle
Solve a Logic Puzzle
Solve a Logic Puzzle
Solve a Logic Puzzle
Chapter III: Problem
Chapter III: Problem
Solving and Reasoning
Solving and Reasoning
GNED 03
I N D U C T I V E A N D D E D U C T I V E R E A S O N I N G | I N T UM
I TAI O
T H E M A T I C S I N T H E M O D E R N |WPOORLLYD
N , P R O O F A N D C E R T A I N T Y A’S FOUR STEPS TO
PROBLEM-SOLVING | PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGIES | MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS INVOLVING PATTERNS
| RECREATIONAL PROBLEMS USING MATHEMATICS

CARL MARTIN ALCANTARA, LPT

INSTRUCTOR
INTUITION
the ability to understand something instinctively, without the
need for conscious reasoning

INSTINCTIVE KNOWLEDGE
Being aware of or knowing something without having to
discover or perceive it, or the ability to do it
INSTINCTIVE BELIEF
Knowing or believing something instinctively, even without
actual evidence for it.
 MATHEMATICAL PROOF
an argument which convinces other people that something is
true

In direct proof, the conclusion is established by logically combining

the axioms, definitions and earlier theorems.
“the sum of two even integers is always even”
 “the sum of two even integers is always even”

Consider two even integers x and y.

Since they are even, they can be written as x = 2a and y = 2b,

respectively, for integers a and b.

Then the sum x + y = 2a + 2b = 2(a + b).

Therefore x + y has 2 as a factor and, by definition, is even

CERTAINTY
total continuity and validity of inquiries to the highest degree
of precision
Chapter III: Problem
Solving and Reasoning

INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE REASONING | INTUITION, PROOF AND CERTAINTY | POLYA’S FOUR STEPS TO
PROBLEM-SOLVING | PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGIES | MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS INVOLVING PATTERNS
| RECREATIONAL PROBLEMS USING MATHEMATICS
EXAMPLE 1
Apply Polya’s Strategy
(Solve a Similar but Simpler Problem)
Consider the map, Allison wishes to
walk along the streets from point A
to point B. How many direct routes
can Allison take?
EXAMPLE 2
Apply Polya’s Strategy
(Make an Organized List)

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?
EXAMPLE 3
Apply Polya’s Strategy
(Solve a Similar but Simpler

In a basketball league consisting of 10 teams, each team plays each

of the other teams exactly three times. How many league games will
be played?
EXAMPLE 4
Apply Polya’s Strategy
(Make a Table and Look for a Pattern)

Determine the digit 100 places to the right of the decimal point in
the decimal representation 7/27
EXAMPLE 5
Apply Polya’s Strategy
(Work Backwards)
In consecutive turns of a Monopoly game, Stacy first paid $800 for a
hotel. She then lost half her money when she landed on Boardwalk.
Next, she collected $200 for passing GO. She then lost half her
remaining money when she landed on Illinois Avenue. Stacy now
has $2500. How much did she have just before she purchased the
hotel?
EXAMPLE 6
Apply Polya’s Strategy
(Guess and Check)

The product of the ages, in years, of three teenagers is 4590. None

of the teens are the same age. What are the ages of the teenagers?
Chapter III: Problem
Solving and Reasoning

INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE REASONING | INTUITION, PROOF AND CERTAINTY | POLYA’S FOUR STEPS TO
PROBLEM-SOLVING | PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGIES | MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS INVOLVING PATTERNS
| RECREATIONAL PROBLEMS USING MATHEMATICS