Scribd
Upload
19 views15 pages

Polyas Strategy

Uploaded by

Khriza Micaella Castillo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
19 views15 pages

Polyas Strategy

Uploaded by

Khriza Micaella Castillo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 15

Polya’s

Problem-Solving
Strategy
Polya’s Four-Step Problem-Solving Strategy
Step 1 Understand the Problem
To solve a problem, one must first know what is being asked, and
what information or data that is provided. Also, one must see to it
that he or she can state the problem in his or her own words.
Step 2 Devise a Plan
In this step, one must think of various techniques or strategies in
attempting to solve the problem. Some common strategies: making
list, chart or table, drawing a diagram, guess and check (or trial and
error), finding similar problem that previously solved, using
arithmetic or equations, looking for patterns, performing an
experiment, and working backwards.
Step 3 Carry Out the Plan
After planning, try it out. If it doesn’t work, try a different strategy.
Work carefully and keep an accurate record of all the attempts until
the problem is solved.
Step 4 Review the Solution
Check the answer. It is always a good idea to think about whether
the answer is reasonable. Ensure that the solution is consistent with
the facts of the problem. Then, interpret the result in the context of
the problem.
1.Common Problem-Solving Strategies

The following are common problem-solving


strategies:
1. Guess (this includes guess and check, guess and
improve)
2. Act It Out (act it out and use equipment)
3. Draw (this includes drawing pictures and
diagrams)
4. Make a List (this includes making a table)
5. Think (this includes using skills you know already)
Example 1. Ms. Juana has a total of 25 chickens and carabaos on her farm. How many
of each does she have if all together there are 76 feet?

Solution:
Step 1: Understand the Problem

There are 25 chickens and carabaos in the problem. All together there are 76 feet.
Note that chickens have 2 feet and carabaos have 4 feet.

We need to determine how many chickens and how many carabaos Ms. Juana has on
her farm.

Step 2: Devise a Plan

It is a situation where drawing a diagram would be a big help.


Step 3: Carry Out the Plan

Make a table reflecting the data in the problem. A table will often reveal
patterns and relationships that suggest how the problem can be solved.

Number of Number of Total


Chickens Carabaos Feet of Feet of Number of
(n) (m) Chickens Carabaos Feet
(2n) (4m) (2n + 4m)
18 7 36 28 64
17 8 34 32 66
As observed, the total number of feet is increasing, thus, we are on the
right direction.
14 11 28 44 72
12 13 24 52 76
Step 4: Review the Solution

12 + 13 = 25 heads

24 + 52 = 76 feet

Therefore, there are 12 chickens and 13 carabao in the farm


of Ms. Juana.
Example 2. Solving a Problem Using a 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?

Understand the Problem There are many different orders.


The team may have won two
straight games and lost the two
(WWLL). Or maybe they lost the first
two games and won the last two
(LLWW). Of course there are other
possibilities, such as WLWL.
Devise a plan Make an organized list of all
possible orders.
Carry out the plan WWLL, WLWL, WLLW, LWWL, LWLW,
LLWW
Review the solution The list has no duplicates and the
list considers all possibilities, there
are six orders in which baseball
team can exactly two out of four
games.
Example 3. In a basketball league consisting of 10 teams play each of
the other teams exactly three times. How many league games will be
played?

Understand the There are 10 teams in the league, and each team plays exactly
Problem three games against of the other teams. The problem is to
determine the total number of league games that will be played.
Devise a Plan Try the strategy of working a similar but simple problem.
Considered with only four teams.
Hence, four teams can play each other once in 4*3/2= 6 games
Carry out the plan Using the process developed above, we see that 10 teams can
play each other once. In a total of 10*9/2 = 45 games. Since
each team plays each opponent exactly three times, the total
number of games is 45*3= 135.
Review the solution Make an organized list.
Example 3. In a basketball
league consisting of 10
teams play each of the
other teams exactly three
times. How many league
games will be played?
Example 9. Solving a Problem Using a Diagram
A farmer is asked to plant eight tomato plants that are 18 inches tall in a straight line
with 2 feet between each plant. How much space is needed between the first plant and the
last one?

Understand the The key information given is that there will be eight plants
Problem in a line, with 2 feet between each, and it asked to find the
total distance from the first to the last.
Devise a Plan It is a situation where drawing a diagram would be a big help.

Carry out the


plan

Review the There are eight plants, but only seven spaces of 2 feet between
solution them.
So, 7 x 2 = 14 feet is right.
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?
A farmer is asked to plant eight
tomato plants that are 18 inches tall
in a straight line with 2 feet
between each plant. How much
space is needed between the first
plant and the last one?

You might also like