Mathematics in

the Modern
World
1
Problem Solving
Strategies
2
Mathematics is not just about numbers; much of it
is problem solving and reasoning.
The art of reasoning is very important in
mathematics.
Most occupations require good problem-solving
skills.

3
• A good problem solver is one who
can find a resolution of which the
path to the answer is not immediately
known.

• In real world, decision-making and

problem-solving are two key areas
that one should be good at in order to
survive.
• Inductive Reasoning - is the
process of reaching a general
conclusion by examining
specific examples. Use to
predict a number
• Conjecture – is the
conclusion formed by using
inductive reasoning, it is an
idea that may or may not be
correct.
Example of Inductive • When you examine a list of numbers
Reasoning and predict the next number in the
list according to some pattern you
3, 6, 9, 12, 15,___ have observed, you are using
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, ___ inductive reasoning.
 • Repeat the procedure for several
different numbers.
Use inductive reasoning to make a • Make a conjecture between the
conjecture out of the following relationship of the size of the
process.
resulting number and the size of the
Consider the following procedure: original number using inductive
1. Pick a number reasoning.
2. Multiply the number by 10.
3. Add 8 to the product.
4. Divide the sum by 2.
5. And Subtract 4.
 • In each of this cases the procedure
produces a number that is five times
Solution: the original number.
Suppose we pick 3 as our original • It is a conjecture that the given
number. procedure produces a number that is
Original number: 3
Multiply 3 by 10 :
five times the original number.
3 x 10 = 30
Add 8 to product:
8 + 30 = 38
Divide sum by 2:
38/2 = 19
Subtract the quotient by 4:
19 – 4 = 15
Exercises: • If the earthquake magnitude is 8.5,
Earthquake Max. Tsunami how high (in meters) can the tsunami
Magnitude Height (Mtrs)
7.5 5
be?
7.6 9 • Can a tsunami occur when the
7.7 13 earthquake magnitude is less than 7?
7.8 17 Explain?
7.9 21
8.0 25
8.1 29
 • Conjecture formed by using
inductive reasoning may or may not
be correct.
Example:
11 x (1)(101) = 1111
11 x (2)(101) = 2222
11 x (3)(101) = 3333
11 x (4)(101) = 4444
11 x (5)(101) = 5555
11 x (6)(101) = 6666
11 x (7)(101) = 7777
11 x (8)(101) = 8888
• Deductive Reasoning - is the
process of reaching a conclusion by
applying general assumptions,
procedures, or principles.
 Solution:
Let n represent the original number
Multiply n by 10:
Example 10n
Use deductive reasoning to Add 8 to the product:
make a conjecture. 8 + 10n
Pick a number. Divide the sum by 2:
Multiply the number by 10 (8 + 10n)/2 = 4 + 5n
Add 8 to the product Subtract the quotient by 4:
Divide the sum by 2 4 + 5n – 4 = 5n
Subtract 4.
• We started with n and ended with 5n
after following the given procedure.
• This means that the given procedure
produces a number that is five times
the original number.
Example:
3, 6, 9, 12, 15,___
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, ___
When you examine a list of numbers
and you see that the pattern is an
arithmetic, you are using deductive
reasoning because there is a formula in
finding the specific term.
 1. During the past 10 years, a tree has
produced avocado every other year. Last
year the tree did not produce avocado, so
this year the tree will produce avocado.
Inductive or
2. All home improvements cost more than the
Deductive?
estimate. The contractor estimated that my
home improvement will cost 35,000. Thus
my home improvement will cost more than
35,000.
POLYA’S Four-Step
Problem-Solving Strategy
 • Restate the problem
• Identify the principal parts of the
1. Understand the problem
problem.
• Essential questions
– What is unknown?
– What data are available?
– What is the condition?
 • Make a list of the known information.
• Make a list of information that is needed.
Devise a plan • Draw a diagram.
• Make an organized list that shows all the
possibilities.
• Make a table or chart.
• Work backwards.
• Try to solve a similar but simpler problem.
• Look for a pattern.
• Write an equation.
 • Work carefully.
• Keep an accurate and neat record of
Carry out the plan
all your attempts.
• Realize that some of your initial
plans will not work and that you may
have to devise another plan or
modify your existing plan.
 • Ensure that the solution is consistent
with the facts of the problem.
Review the solution. • Interpret the solution in the context
of the problem.
• Ask yourself whether there are
generalization of the solution that
could apply to other problems.
1. Understand the Example:
Problem If you wake up at 7:00 a.m. and it takes
Given:
you 1 hour and 30 minutes to get ready
7:00am wake up and walk to school, at what time will
1hr 30min walk to you get to school?
school
What time will you get
to school?
 Example:
2. Devise a Plan If you wake up at 7:00 a.m. and it takes
What time will you get
you 1 hour and 30 minutes to get ready
to school? and walk to school, at what time will
Addition: you get to school?
Time you wake up plus
the time consume going
to school
3.Carry out the plan Example:
If you wake up at 7:00 a.m. and it takes
What time will you get
you 1 hour and 30 minutes to get ready
to school? and walk to school, at what time will
7:00am wake up you get to school?
+1:30min travel time
8:30 am arrived
4.Review the solution Example:
If you wake up at 7:00 a.m. and it takes
What time will you get to you 1 hour and 30 minutes to get ready
school? and walk to school, at what time will
8:30am arrive in school
you get to school?
-1:30min travel time
7:00 am wake up
 Examples
To make the Leaning Tower of Pisa from spaghetti, Mrs.
Robinson bought 2.5 kilograms of spaghetti. Her students were
able to make 10 leaning towers in total. How many kilograms of
spaghetti does it take to make 1 leaning tower?

25
 Examples

There are 15 boys in the class. This is

three more than four times the number of
girls. How many girls are in the class?

26
 Examples

Nadia takes a ribbon that is 48 inches long

and cuts it in two pieces. One piece is
three times as long as the other. How long
is each piece?

27
 Examples

Nadia’s father is 36. He is 16 years older

than four times Nadia’s age. How old is
Nadia?

28
 Thank you.

Proceed to your schoology week 4 and do your

quiz.