Lesson 2.

Problem Solving Strategies and the Polya’s Four-step Approach

in Problem Solving

You might have some difficulties with problem-solving because there is no single
procedure that works all the time. Also, every problem would require prior knowledge
about the given situation. The common error done by students is misunderstanding the
problem at the very beginning thus it leads to an erroneous conclusion.
To help you solve problems, here is the four-step in problem-solving introduced by
George Polya. These steps may help you to be more successful in problem-solving.

POLYA’S FOUR-STEP APPROACH IN PROBLEM-SOLVING

1. Understanding the Problem
2. Devise a Plan
3. Carry Out the Plan
4. Look Back

1. UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM

Sometimes, the problem lies in how you understand it. You might interpret the
problem incorrectly which may lead to a wrong result. To understand the problem,
you must read the problem first. It sounds simple but most students immediately
solve the problem without reading the whole problem. Once the problem is read,
you need to list all the data involved. Here are some questions to guide you in
understanding the problem:

● Do you understand all the words used in stating the problem?

● What are you asked to find or show?
● Can you restate the problem in your own words?
● Can you think of a picture or diagram that might help you understand the
problem?
● Is there enough information to enable you to find a solution?

2. DEVISE A PLAN
When you devise a plan, you think of what strategy to use to solve the problem.
There are many reasonable ways to solve problems. More than one strategy may be
applicable to solve a certain problem and one of these strategies is easier to use
depending on the person solving the problem. Knowing the appropriate strategy is
best learned by solving a lot of problems. Here is a partial list of strategies you may
use:
● Trial and improvement/Guess and check/Guess and improve
The idea of this strategy is for you to guess
the answer and check if it fits the condition of
the problem. If it is the right answer, use it to
make an improved next guess until you come
up with the correct answer. This is best used
when you have a limited number of possible
answers.

● Draw a diagram/picture
Drawing a diagram/picture helps you to
understand the problem better. You can
draw a picture when the problem involves
shapes, positioning, or any other topics when
illustrations are needed. Two of the most
utilized diagrams are the Venn diagram and
the tree diagram. Venn diagram uses
overlapping circles while a tree diagram is
used to show a sequence of events.

● Look for a pattern

Finding a pattern is a strategy in which you
look for patterns in the data in order to solve
the problem. It is done by looking for items
or numbers that are repeated, or a series of
events that is repeated. Once the pattern is
identified, it can be used to determine the
solution to the problem.

● Make organized lists and tables

Making an organized list of the given data helps you to be working
systematically. Tables may also be used in solving logical problems by
using ticks and crosses to mark the said table.
 ● Simplify the problem
Simplifying a mathematics problem is a strategy
that is used along with other problem-solving
strategies. When a problem is too, it often helps
to divide it into simpler problems and solve each
one separately. Creating a simpler problem from a
more complex one may involve rewording the
problem; using smaller, simpler numbers; or using
a more familiar scenario to understand the
problem and find the solution.

● Work backwards
This method works well for problems where a series
of operations is done on an unknown number and
you’re only given the result. To use this method, start
with the result and apply the operations in reverse
order until you find the starting number.

● Use an equation/formula
Using a Formula is a problem-solving strategy that you
can use to find answers to math problems involving
geometry, percent, measurement, or algebra. To
solve these problems, students must choose the
appropriate formula and substitute data in the correct
places of a formula. In an instance the formula is not
applicable, you can formulate an equation and solve
it by applying algebraic laws.
● Eliminate possibilities
This technique is done by removing possible answers until the correct
answer remains. This is best suited when there is only a little number of
possible answers. You can list down all the possible answers then cross out
one by one as you apply all the conditions in the problem.

3. CARRY OUT THE PLAN

This step is usually easier than devising the plan. In general, all you need is care
and patience, given that you have the necessary skills. Persist with the plan that
you have chosen. If it continues not to work, discard it and choose another. Don’t
be misled, this is how mathematics is done, even by professionals.
Sometimes the first approach does not work. Do not worry, just because an
approach does not work, it does not mean you did it wrong. You actually
accomplished something, knowing a way does not work is part of the process of
 elimination. Once you have thought about a problem or returned to it enough times,
you will often have a flash of insight: a new idea to try or a new perspective on how
to approach solving the problem. The key is to keep trying until something works.

4. LOOKBACK
Once you have a solution, check if it answers the question. Check if your answer
is reasonable and make sure that all conditions related to the problem are satisfied.
Much can be gained by taking the time to reflect and look back at what you have
done, what worked, and what didn’t. Doing this will enable you to predict what
strategy to use to solve future problems.
Example 1. Mr. Romar has a total of 25 chickens and cows on his farm. How much
of each does he have if altogether there are 62 feet?
Step 1. Understand the problem

● The problem state that there are 25 chickens and cows

● Altogether, there are 62 feet
● A chicken has 2 feet and a cow has 4 feet
● The problem requires you to determine how many chickens and how many
cows are there in Mr. Romar’s farm

Step 2. Devise a plan

Trial and improvement can be a reasonable strategy since we can guess

an initial number of chickens and cows and do some trial and improvement
until we reach the correct answer.
The best way to do a trial and improvement is to use a table and look for
a pattern.
Step 3. Carry out the plan

Construct a table and try to guess the number of chickens and cows. Bear
in mind that there are a total of 25 chickens and cows.
Chicken Cow No. of chicken feet No. of cow feet Total no. of feet
15 10 30 40 70
14 11 28 44 72

Notice on the table above that the total number of feet is increasing which
means that we are going in the wrong direction. So, try to increase the
number of chickens maintaining the total number of animals which is 25.
 Chicken Cow No of chicken feet No. of cow feet Total no. of feet
16 9 32 36 68
17 8 34 32 66
18 7 36 28 64
19 6 38 24 62

Until such time that you reach the 62 total number of feet.
Thus, there are 19 chickens and 6 cows to have a total number of 62 feet.

Step 4. LOOK BACK

First step in looking back is to check if the answer as correct.

19+6 = 25 animals
38+24 = 62 feet
We already found the solution for the problem. Take note that this
strategy is applicable when there are limited numbers of possible answers.

Example 2. The sum of three consecutive integers is 261. Find the integers.

Step 1. Understand the problem

● Consecutive integers are integers that are following each other like 3, 4,
and 5.
● The problem wants us to find three consecutive integers which when
added, sums up to 261.

Step 2. Devise a plan

This type of problem can be solved using equations since it involves
algebra. You just need to represent the components of the problem
correctly.
Given an integer, say 5, the next consecutive integer can be obtained by
adding 1, which is 6. Since in the problem, the integer is unknown, the
integer will be represented by 𝑥 or any variable.
The next consecutive integer following 𝑥 will be 𝑥 + 1 and the next will
be 𝑥 + 2, since you need three integers
Thus, the three consecutive integers are 𝑥, 𝑥 + 1 and 𝑥 + 2. All you need
to do now is add.
Step 3. Carry out the plan
Adding the three integers sums up to 261.
 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 1 + 𝑥 + 2 = 261
Solving the equation algebraically:
3𝑥 + 3 = 261
3𝑥 = 258
𝑥 = 86
The first integer is 86, thus the other integers are 87 and 88.
Step 4. Look back
To check the answer, add the three integers.
86 + 87 + 88 = 261
Equations can be used in problems that involve numbers.

Example 3. Franky’s age is less than 60 years old. When the digits of his age are added,
the sum is 9. His age is a multiple of 6. If his age lies between two prime numbers, how
old is he?

Step 1. Understand the problem

Take note of the following:

The age of Franky is:
Less than 60, possible answers will be from 1 to 59;
The sum of the digits is 9, that is, if the age is 𝑎𝑏, then 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 9;
Multiple of 6 means divisible by 6
It lies between two primes. Prime numbers are only divisible by one
and itself;

Step 2. Devise a plan

Eliminating possibilities can be applied so that we can narrow out all

possible answers to come up with the correct answer.

Step 3. Carry out the plan

Look for the numbers less than 90 whose sum of its digits is 9:
9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54
Next, determine which are factors of 6:
18, 36, 54
Lastly, determine which of them is between two primes:
17,18,19 35,36,37 53,54,55
 Only 18 is between two primes 17 and 19. Thus his age must be 18.

Step 4. Look back

Check if 18 satisfies all the conditions for Franky’s age.

18 is less than 60, 1+8=9, 18 is divisible by 6, and 17 and 19 are prime
numbers.
Therefore, Franky is 18 years old.

Example 4. Find the sum of 1+2+3+4+…+198+199+200.

Step 1. Understand the problem
The problem simply needs to know the sum of the counting numbers from
1-200.
Step 2. Devise a plan
It may sound simple, just add the numbers manually, but it will take time
for you do so. Since you are going to add numbers that follow a pattern,
look for a pattern to make it much easier to add the numbers. Notice that
if you add the opposite numbers, the result is 201.
Step 3. Carry out the plan
1+2+3+4+…+198+199+200
1+200 = 201; 2+199=201; 3+198=201 and so on.
Since there are 200 numbers, there will be a hundred pair of numbers
that has a sum of 201,
Thus, multiplying 201 and 100 gives you 20100. Therefore, the sum must
be 20100.
Step 4. Look back
You can verify your answer by adding manually but take note that if you
encounter a similar problem like this, you can just look for the pattern.