Chapter III Problem

Solving and Reasoning

This module tackles the fundamental
concepts and principles of Mathematics.
This covers the different factors that
contribute to one’s being, The
philosophical and theoretical explanations
about the Mathematics across generations
of philosophers and theorists, as well as
the explanations of different fields of
sciences about the self and identity.
Welcome to

Mathematics in
Modern World
 Problem Solving and
Reasoning
Everyone encounters problems from time to
time. Some of our problems are big and
complicated, while others may be more easily
solved. There is no shortage of challenges
and issues that can arise in personal,
academic and social affairs. Whether in
school or on a personal pursuit, experiencing
difficulties with the tasks at hand or with
coworkers, the environment presents ongoing
challenges on a daily basis. Whether these
problems are large or small, they need to be
dealt with constructively and fairly. Having
the necessary skills to identify solutions to
problems is one of the skills that every
individual must possess.
Section 3.1 Inductive and
Deductive Reasoning

Advertisements that we see in television are

results of marketing strategy designed to
address prevailing or foreseen problems in
sales due maybe to competition or other
problems. These TV ads basically try to
persuade the viewers to patronize the
product by conveying that the product has
been used by many people usually
prominent ones. Such strategy actually uses
one principle of reasoning that we are about
to discuss.
A. Predict the next number in each of the following lists.
1. 5,10,15,20,25,?
2. 1, 4,9,16,25, ?

B. Consider the following procedure.

1. Pick a number.
2. Multiply the number by 10.
3. Add 8 to the product.
4. Divide the sum by 2
5. And subtract 4.
Note. Repeat the procedure for several different numbers.
 INDUCTIVE REASONING

Inductive Reasoning
–is a reasoning that uses specific examples to reach a general
conclusion.
-the conclusion formed by using inductive reasoning is called
conjecture. A conjecture is an idea that may or may not be
correct.
Note: The method of disproving a statement is to give counterexample.
Example: Verify that each of the following statement is incorrect by giving a
counterexample.
 DEDUCTIVE REASONING
-is a type of reasoning that applies assumptions, procedures or principles to reach a general
conclusions.
-type of logic where we applied a general rule to specific case.
Examples: A. Consider the following procedure.
1. Pick a number.
2. Multiply the number by 10.
3. Add 8 to the product.
4. Divide the number by 2
5. Subtract the quotient by 4.
B. When we applied Quadratic Formula (general) to the specific equation, say
1. Each of the four friends Don, Sarj, Nick, and Xhander has different pet (fish, cat, dog, and snake).
From the following clues, determine the pet of each individual:
a. Sarj is older than his friend who owns the cat and younger than his friend who owns the dog.
b. Nick and his friend who owns the snake are both of the same age and are the youngest members of
their group.
c. Don is older than his friend who owns the fish.

2. Each of four neighbors, Mark, Zen, Linda, and Roy has different occupation (teacher, banker, chef,
or broker). From the following clues determine the occupation of each neighbour.
a. Zen gets home from work after the banker but before the broker.
b. Linda, who is the last to get home from work, is not the teacher
c. The broker and Linda leave for work at the same time.
d. The banker lives next door to Roy.
Things to remember

Inferences made by inductive process do not render absolute truth (only

conjecture). They can be proven to be true using deductive approach.
 TOWER OF HANOI

It was invented by Edouard Lucas in 1883. It is a puzzle consisting of three pegs

and a number of disk of distinct diameters.
The puzzle requires that all the disks be moved from the first peg to the third peg
such that the largest disk is on the bottom, the next larger disk is placed on the top
of the largest disk and so on and that only one disk be moved at a time. All pegs
may be used.
Determine the minimum number of moves required to transfer the disk from the first
peg to the third peg.
Chapter III Introduction to Objective
Mathematics in Modern
World This chapter discusses the fundamental
principles of solving problems like the
inductive and deductive reasoning (section 1),
along with some specific processes that can be
applied to certain types of problems (section 2),
how to use pattern recognition in finding the
solution (section 3) and various types of
problems that stir both the intellectual and
recreational challenge to readers (section 4). It
emphasizes the use of the existing patterns that
abound in nature to formulate such solutions.

At the end of the section, students should be able

to:
▪ Distinguish inductive from deductive reasoning;
▪ Give examples of inductive and deductive
processes of inference; and
▪ Use either the inductive or deductive reasoning
to solve practical problems.
Intended Learning
Outcomes

At the end of the section, students should be able

to:
▪ Distinguish inductive from deductive reasoning;
▪ Give examples of inductive and deductive
processes of inference; and
▪ Use either the inductive or deductive reasoning
to solve practical problems.
Section 3.2. Problem-
Solving Strategies
“A great discovery solves a great problem
but there is a grain of discovery in the
solution of any problem. Your problem may
be modest; but if it challenges your curiosity
and brings into play your inventive faculties,
and if you solve it by your own means, you
may experience the tension and enjoy the
triumph of discovery.” – George Polya
This section is devoted to teaching students
how to strategize a solution given a
particular problem. It may appear a
routinary process but with sufficient
practice, it is hoped that students focus more
on the principle rather than the procedure.
 Section 3.2. Problem-
Solving Strategies

At the end of the section, students should be able

to:

▪ Explain Polya’s four-step problem-solving

strategy;
▪ Apply Polya’s four-step problem-solving
strategy in solving certain problems ;
▪ Use Polya’s four-step problem-solving strategy
to design model solutions to practical problems
that arise in nature and in the world.
Polya’s Four Steps

▪ Understand the Problem This part of Polya’s

four-step strategy is often overlooked. You
must have a clear understanding of the problem.
To help you focus on understanding the
problem, consider the following questions.
▪ Devise a Plan Successful problem solvers use a
variety of techniques when they attempt to
solve a problem. Here are some frequently used
procedures.
▪ Carry Out the Plan Once you have devised a
plan, you must carry it out.
▪ Review the Solution Once you have found a
solution, check the solution.
Problem Solving Strategies

One of the foremost recent mathematicians to make a

study of problem solving was George Polya (1887–1985).
He was born in Hungary and moved to the United States
in 1940. The basic problem-solving strategy that Polya
advocated consisted of the following four steps.

1. Understand the problem.

2. Devise a plan.
3. Carry out the plan.
4. Review the solution.
1. Understand the problem
Note: To help you focus on understanding the problem consider the following questions
-Can you restate the problem in your own words?
- Can you determine what is known about these types of problem?
-Is there missing information that, if known, would allow you to solve the
problems?
- Is there extraneous information that is not needed to solve the problem?
-What is the goal?
 2. Devise a plan
Note :Successful problem solvers use a variety of techniques when they
attempt to solve a problem. Some frequently used procedures are
-Make a list of the known information
-Make a list of information that is needed.
-Draw a diagram.
-Make an organized list that shows all possibilities.
-Make a table or chart.
-Work backwards.
-Try to solve a similar but simpler problem.
-Look for a pattern.
-Write an equation. If necessary, define what each variable represents.
-Perform an experiment.
Guess at a solution and then check your result.
3. Carry out the plan.
Note: Once you have devised a plan, you must carry it out.
- Work carefully.
-Keep an accurate and neat record of 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.

4. Review the solution (Look back)

Note: Once you have found a solution, check the solution.
-Ensure that the solution is consistent with the facts of the problem.
-Interpret the solution in the context of the problem.
-Ask yourself whether there are generalizations of the solutions that could apply to other
problems.
 APPLICATION OF POLYA’S STRATEGY

1. The GSM basketball team won three out of their last six games. In how many different
orders could they have attained three wins and three losses in six games?
2. Leonardo da Vinci was a famous artist during renaissance period. He wrote in his
notebook that “from the top to the bottom of the chin is the sixth part of the face, and it is
fifty-fourth part of the man”. Suppose the distance from top to bottom of the chin is 1.2
inches. Using Leonardo da Vinci’s measurement, find the height of the person.
3. An agency charged P15,000 for a 3-day and 2-night tour in Macau and P20,000 for the
same tour with a side trip to Hongkong. Ten persons joined the trip, which enable them to
collect P170,000. How many tourists made a side trip to Hongkong?