Problem Solving and Reasoning

PROBLEM SOLVING
AND REASONING
WHAT IS A PROBLEM?
Generally, it is a situation you want to
change!
A problem is a situation that conforms
the learner, that requires resolution, and
for which the path of the answer is not
immediately known.
There is an obstacle that prevents one
from setting a clear path to the answer.
WHAT IS PROBLEM SOLVING?
 Problem Solving has been defined

as higher-order cognitive process
that requires the modulation and
control of more routine or
fundamental skills" (Goldstein & Levin,
1987).
REASONING
Mathematical reasoning refers to the
ability of a person to analyze problem
situations and construct logical arguments
to justify his process or hypothesis, to
create both conceptual foundations and
connections, in order for him to be able to
process available information.
What kind of thinking is used
when solving problems?
INDUCTIVE OR DEDUCTIVE?
INDUCTIVE REASONING
 Thetype of reasoning that forms a
conclusion based on the examination of
specific examples.
The conclusion formed by using

inductive reasoning is often called a
conjecture, since it may or may not be
correct.
EXAMPLES
Example 1:
A baby cries, then cries, then cries to get a milk.
Conclusion:
If a baby cries, he/she gets a milk.
Example 2:
Here is a sequence of numbers: 3, 6, 9, 12, ____
What is the 5th number?
Conclusion:
The next number is 15.
Example 3:
Find the 6th and 7th term in the sequence:
1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ______ , _____
Conclusion:
The first two numbers differ by 2. The 2nd
and 3rd numbers differ by 3. The next
difference is 4, then 5. So, the next difference
will be 6 and Thus the 6th term is 15+ 6 = 21
while the 7th is 21 + 7 = 28.
USE INDUCTIVE REASONING
TO MAKE A CONJECTURE
Complete the following procedure for three
Consider the following procedure:
different numbers. Use inductive reasoning to
1. Pick
make a aconjecture
number. about the relationship
between the size
2. Multiply the of the resulting
number by 8. number and
the size of the original number.
3. Add 6 to the product.
4. Divide the sum by 2, and
5. Subtract 3.
SEAT WORK
Complete the following procedure for three
different
Considernumbers. Use inductive
the following reasoning
procedure:
to make a conjecture about the relationship
1. Pick a number.
between the size of the resulting number and
2. Multiply
the size of thethe number
original by 9,
number.
3. Add 15 to the product,
4. Divide the sum by 3,
5. Subtract 5.
ASSIGNMENT:
Scientists often use inductive reasoning. For
instance, Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) used inductive
reasoning to discover that the time required for a
pendulum to complete one swing, called the period of
the pendulum, depends on the length of the
pendulum. Galileo did not have a clock, so he
measured the periods of pendulums in “heartbeats.”
The following table shows some results obtained for
pendulums of various lengths. For the sake of
convenience, a length of 10 inches has been
designated as 1 unit.
Use the data in the table and inductive reasoning to
answer each of the following questions.
1. If a pendulum has a length of 49 units, what is its
period?
2. If the length of the pendulum is quadrupled, what
happens to its period?
 Another type of reasoning is
called deductive reasoning.
 Deductive reasoning is the

process of reaching a conclusion
by applying general principles
and procedures.
 Mathematics is essentially
deductive reasoning.
 Deductive reasoning is always valid.
 Deductive reasoning makes use of
undefined terms, formally defined
terms, axioms, theorems, and rules
of inference.
Example 1:
If a number is divisible by 2, then it must be even.
12 is divisible by 2.
Therefore, 12 is an even number.
Example 2:
All math teachers know how to play Sudoku.
Resty is a math teacher.
Therefore, Resty knows how to play Sudoku.
Make a conclusion for each of the following statement and
determine whether it is an example of inductive reasoning
or deductive reasoning.
1. During the past 10 years, a tree has produced plums

every other year. Last year the tree did not produce
plums. Therefore ________.
2. All home improvement cost more than the estimate. The

contractor estimated that my home improvement will
cost 50, 000 pesos. Thus ________.
3. All pentagons have exactly five sides. Figure A is a
pentagon. Therefore, ________.
4. If a student is a DOST scholar, he receives a

monthly allowance. If a student receives a monthly
allowance, his parents will be happy. Therefore,
____________.
ANSWERS:
1. Therefore, this year the tree will produce

plums. (inductive reasoning)
2. Thus, my home improvement will cost more
than 50,000 pesos. (deductive reasoning)
3. Therefore, figure A has exactly five sides.
(deductive reasoning)
4. Therefore, if a student is a DOST scholar, his
parents will be happy. (deductive reasoning)
LOGIC PUZZLES
 Is another type of problem that can be
solved by using deductive reasoning.
Most logic puzzles requires the use of chart
or illustration to display the given information
in a visual manner.
Example:
Each of the 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.
Let us draw conclusions based on the given clues.
1. Maria gets home from work after the banker but

before the dentist.
conclusion: Maria is neither the banker nor the dentist
2. Sarah, who is the last to get home from work, is not

the editor.
conclusion: Sarah is not the editor.
Also, Sarah is not the banker because she is the last to
get home from work and according to clue number 1 the
banker is not the last to get home from work.
3. The dentist and Sarah leave for work at the same
time.
conclusion: Sarah is not the dentist.
So Sarah is the CHEF.
And Maria is the EDITOR.
4. The banker lives next door to Brian.
conclusion: Brian is not the banker.
Brian is the DENTIST.
Sean is the BANKER.
Brianna, Ryan, Tyler, and Ashley were recently elected as
the new class officers (president, vice president, secretary,
treasurer) of the sophomore class at Summit College. From
the following clues, determine which position each holds:
1.Ashley is younger than the president but older

than the treasurer.
2.Brianna and the secretary are both the same age,
and they are the youngest members of the group.
3.Tyler and the secretary are next-door neighbors.
Ms. X, Ms. Y and Ms. Z – an American
woman, an Englishwoman and a
Frenchwoman, but not necessarily in that
order, were seated around a circular table,
playing a game of Hearts. Each passed three
cards to the person to her right. Ms. Y
passed three hearts to the American. Ms. X
passed the queen of spades and two
diamonds to the person who passed her
cards to the Frenchwoman. Who was the
American? The Englishwoman? The
Frenchwoman?

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PROBLEM SOLVING

 Problem Solving has been defined

The conclusion formed by using

 Deductive reasoning is the

1. During the past 10 years, a tree has produced plums

2. All home improvement cost more than the estimate. The

4. If a student is a DOST scholar, he receives a

1. Therefore, this year the tree will produce

1. Maria gets home from work after the banker but

2. Sarah, who is the last to get home from work, is not

1.Ashley is younger than the president but older

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