Solving

Steps:
Personal
Practice vs.
Polya's
WMSU
Method
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1. PERSONAL
PRACTICE
In personal problem-solving
practice, individuals may follow
these intuitive steps:

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IDENTIFY THE
PROBLEM:

UNDERSTAND WHAT
NEEDS TO BE SOLVED.
3
DEVELOP A
PLAN:

CREATE A STRATEGY TO
TACKLE THE PROBLEM.

4
IMPLEMENT THE
PLAN:

EXECUTE THE STRATEGY

AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

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REVIEW AND
REFLECT:

CHECK THE SOLUTION FOR

ACCURACY AND LEARN
FROM THE PROCESS.
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PROBLEM:
WHAT IS THE SUM OF 47 AND
36?
Step 1: Identify the problem
What do you know?
You need to add two numbers: 47 and
36.

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Step 2: Develop a Plan/Set Up the
Problem
Write down the numbers vertically to
align the digits:

47
+ 36
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Step 3: Perform the Addition
Add the digits in the rightmost column
(units place):
7+6=13
Write down 3 in the units place and carry
over 1 to the next column.

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Add the digits in the left column
(tens place), including the carry-
over:
4+3+1=8
Write down 8 in the tens place.
So, the sum is: 83

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Step 4: Verify the Solution
Double-check the work:
Re-add the numbers to make sure
the sum is correct.
You should still get 83.

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Step 5: Reflect and Practice
What did you learn?
This problem reinforces the basic
concept of addition, particularly
handling carry-over when the sum
of digits exceeds 9.

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Personal Practice Reflection: Through
this exercise, you've reinforced your
understanding of basic addition,
including handling carry-over. By
practicing similar problems, you can
build a stronger foundation in
arithmetic.
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2. POLYA’S
METHOD
George Polya’s approach is
systematic and focuses on
structured problem-solving.

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Polya introduced this method in
his book "How to Solve It," which
was first published in 1945.

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George Pólya formulated his
method of problem-solving to
address the challenges that
students and mathematicians
alike face when confronting
difficult problems.
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UNDERSTAND
THE PROBLEM:

ANALYZE THE PROBLEM

AND IDENTIFY WHAT IS
KNOWN AND WHAT NEEDS
TO BE FOUND. 17
DEVISE A PLAN:
FORMULATE A STRATEGY OR
METHOD TO SOLVE THE
PROBLEM, SUCH AS
BREAKING IT INTO SMALLER
PARTS OR USING A SPECIFIC
MATHEMATICAL TECHNIQUE. 18
CARRY OUT THE
PLAN:

EXECUTE THE PLAN STEP-

BY-STEP TO REACH A
SOLUTION.
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REVIEW/CHECK
THE SOLUTION:
VERIFY THE RESULTS, ENSURE
THE SOLUTION IS CORRECT,
AND CHECK IF IT MAKES SENSE
IN THE CONTEXT OF THE
PROBLEM.
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PROBLEM:
FIND THE NUMBER OF 3-
DIGIT NUMBERS
DIVISIBLE BY 5.

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Step 1: Understand the Problem
What are we asked to find?
We need to find the number of 3-digit
numbers that are divisible by 5.
What is a 3-digit number?
A 3-digit number ranges from 100 to 999.
What does it mean to be divisible by 5?
A number is divisible by 5 if its last digit is
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Step 2: Devise a Plan
Approach:
Identify the smallest and largest 3-digit
numbers divisible by 5.
Determine how many such numbers
exist by finding the sequence of
numbers divisible by 5 within the 3-digit
range 23
Step 3: Carry Out the Plan
Find the smallest 3-digit number divisible by
5:
The smallest 3-digit number is 100, which is
divisible by 5.
Find the largest 3-digit number divisible by 5:
The largest 3-digit number is 999. The largest
number divisible by 5 within this range is 995.
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Form an arithmetic sequence:
The sequence of 3-digit numbers divisible by
5 starts at 100 and ends at 995, with a
common difference of 5.
Determine the number of terms in the
sequence:
The formula for the n-th term of an
arithmetic sequence is:
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Step 4: Look Back
Verify the result:
We can check by listing the sequence's first
few terms (100, 105, 110, ...) and last few
terms (980, 985, 990, 995) to ensure they
fit the pattern. The arithmetic calculation
matches the sequence.
Thus, the answer is correct.
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COMPARISON OF
PERSONAL PRACTICE
VS. POLYA’S

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UNDERSTANDING
THE PROBLEM
Both approaches emphasize the
importance of fully grasping the
problem before attempting to solve
it.

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DEVISING A
PLAN:
Personal practice might involve an
informal or intuitive selection of a
strategy, whereas Polya’s method
encourages a systematic
consideration of multiple strategies.

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Drawing a Diagram
Guess and Check
Looking for Patterns
Simplifying the Problem
Applying a Known Formula or Theorem
Experimentation and Simulation
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CARRYING OUT THE
PLAN:

Both emphasize the careful

and deliberate execution of
the chosen strategy, with
attention to detail.
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REVIEWING/
REFLECTING:
Polya places a strong emphasis on
reviewing the solution, which aligns
with personal practice but may be
more formalized in Polya’s approach.

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SIGNIFICANCE OF
PROBLEM SOLVING IN
MATHEMATICS
EDUCATION

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DEVELOPMENT OF
CRITICAL THINKING:
Problem-solving is fundamental in fostering
critical thinking skills. Students learn to
analyze, interpret, and make reasoned
decisions, which are essential skills in both
mathematics and real-life situations.
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APPLICATION OF
MATHEMATICAL
CONCEPTS:
Through problem-solving, students apply
theoretical concepts to practical
problems. This helps them understand
the relevance of what they are learning
and how it can be used outside the
classroom. 36
ENCOURAGES DEEP
UNDERSTANDING:
Engaging in problem-solving activities
encourages students to develop a
deeper understanding of mathematical
concepts, as they must often explore the
reasoning behind various methods and
solutions.
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BUILDS RESILIENCE AND
PERSISTENCE:

The challenge of solving problems helps

build resilience and persistence. Students
learn that making mistakes and trying
multiple approaches are part of the learning
process, leading to a growth mindset.
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PROMOTES
CREATIVITY:
Problem-solving requires creativity, as
students must often think outside the
box to find solutions. This creative
thinking is valuable not only in
mathematics but in all areas of life.
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PREPARATION FOR
FUTURE LEARNING:
Problem-solving skills are transferable
across disciplines and are essential for
advanced studies in mathematics,
science, engineering, and technology.
They also prepare students for problem-
solving in everyday life and future careers.
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In conclusion, problem-solving is not just a
goal of mathematics education but a
means through which students learn and
internalize mathematical concepts. It
builds critical life skills, promotes deep
understanding, and prepares students for
future academic and professional
challenges.
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The problem-solving approach is central
to the conceptual framework of the K to
12 Mathematics curriculum. The
curriculum emphasizes the development of
mathematical understanding and skills that
students can apply in real-life situations.
Here’s how problem-solving fits into the
overall framework:
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CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK
Understanding: The K to 12
Mathematics curriculum is designed to
build a deep understanding of
mathematical concepts, ensuring that
students don't just memorize procedures
but grasp the underlying principles.
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Critical Thinking: Problem-solving
is a key component that encourages
critical thinking. Students are
challenged to think analytically and
creatively, using logic and reasoning
to solve complex problems

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Mathematical Skills: The curriculum is
structured to develop proficiency in
mathematical skills such as computation,
measurement, data interpretation, and
the use of mathematical tools. Problem-
solving activities often require the
application of these skills.
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Application of Concepts: Problem-
solving allows students to apply
mathematical concepts in various
contexts. This makes learning more
relevant and meaningful, bridging the
gap between theory and practice.

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Process over Product: The
curriculum emphasizes the process of
solving problems rather than just
arriving at the correct answer. This
includes understanding the problem,
devising a plan, carrying out the plan,
and reviewing the solution.
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Real-World Connections: Problem-
solving tasks are often grounded in real-
world scenarios, helping students see
the relevance of mathematics in
everyday life. This approach prepares
students for future challenges by
enhancing their ability to use
mathematics in diverse situations.
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INTEGRATION
ACROSS
STRANDS

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Interdisciplinary Approach:
The K to 12 Mathematics curriculum
integrates problem-solving across different
strands of mathematics, such as algebra,
geometry, statistics, and calculus. This
interdisciplinary approach encourages
students to draw connections between
different areas of mathematics.
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Collaboration and Communication:
Problem-solving activities often involve
collaboration and communication, helping
students develop soft skills that are crucial in
both academic and professional settings.

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ASSESSMENT OF
PROBLEM-SOLVING
SKILLS

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Formative and Summative
Assessments: The curriculum includes
both formative (ongoing) and summative
(end-of-term) assessments that evaluate
students' problem-solving abilities. These
assessments are designed to measure
not only the accuracy of solutions but
also the strategies and reasoning used.
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In summary, problem-solving is integral to the
K to 12 Mathematics curriculum, serving as a
vehicle for developing mathematical
understanding, critical thinking, and real-
world application skills. The curriculum is
designed to equip students with the tools
they need to approach and solve problems
effectively, both in academic settings and in
their everyday lives.
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