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3.2 - Problem Solving Strategies

The document discusses problem-solving using inductive and deductive reasoning, providing examples for each method. It introduces George Pólya's four-step problem-solving strategy: understanding the problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and reviewing the solution. Additionally, it lists various problem-solving strategies and presents examples to illustrate these concepts.

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8 views14 pages

3.2 - Problem Solving Strategies

The document discusses problem-solving using inductive and deductive reasoning, providing examples for each method. It introduces George Pólya's four-step problem-solving strategy: understanding the problem, devising a plan, carrying out the plan, and reviewing the solution. Additionally, it lists various problem-solving strategies and presents examples to illustrate these concepts.

Uploaded by

Green Macatangay
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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PROBLEM SOLVING USING INDUCTIVE AND

DEDUCTIVE REASONING
INDUCTIVE REASONING
Example:
Use inductive reasoning to predict the next
number in each of the following lists.
a. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ?
b. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ?
DEDUCTIVE REASONING
2. Each of four neighbors, Sean, Maria, Sarah,
and Brian, has a different occupation (editor,
banker, chef, or dentist). From the ff. clues,
determine the occupation of each neighbor.
a. Maria gets home from work after the
banker but before the dentist.
b. Sarah, who is the last to get home from
work, is not the editor.
c. The dentist and Sarah leave for work at
the same time.
d. The banker lives next door to Brian.
PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGIES

Polya’s Problem Solving Strategy


POLYA: “THE FATHER OF PROBLEM
SOLVING”
• George Pólya was a Hungarian
mathematician.
• He made fundamental contributions to
combinatorics, number theory, numerical
analysis and probability theory. He is also
noted for his work in heuristics and
mathematics education.
POLYA'S FOUR-STEP PROBLEM
SOLVING STRATEGY
• In 1945 George Polya published the book
How To Solve It which quickly became his
most prized publication.
• It sold over one million copies and has been
translated into 17 languages.
• In this book he identifies four basic
principles of problem solving.
1. UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM
• Do you understand all the words used in stating
the problem?
• What are you asked to find or show?
• Can you restate the problem in your own words?
• Can you think of a picture or diagram that might
help you understand the problem?
• Is there enough information to enable you to find a
solution?
2. DEVISE A PLAN
• There are many reasonable ways to solve
problems.
• The skill lies in choosing an appropriate
strategy.
• This best learned by solving many
problems. You will find choosing a strategy
increasingly easy.
3. CARRY OUT THE PLAN
• This step is usually easier than devising the
plan. In general, all you need is care and
patience, given that you have the necessary
skills.
• Persist with the plan that you have chosen.
• If it continues not to work discard it and
choose another. Don't be misled, this is how
mathematics is done, even by professionals.
4. LOOK BACK/REVIEW THE SOLUTION
• Much can be gained by taking the time to
reflect and look back at what you have
done, what worked, and what didn't.
• Doing this will enable you to predict what
strategy to use to solve future problems.
PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES
• Guess and check • Use a model
• Look for a pattern • Consider special
• Make an orderly list cases
• Draw a picture • Work backwards

• Eliminate possibilities • Use direct reasoning

• Solve a simpler • Use a formula


problem • Solve an equation
• Use symmetry
EXAMPLES
1. 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?
2. The product of the ages, in years, of three
teenagers is 4590. None of the teens are the
same age. What are the ages of the
teenagers?
3. Mang Tomas owns goats and ducks.
Counting heads there are 39. Counting legs
there are110. How many goats and how
many ducks has Mang Tomas?
4. Each one – Ann, Enya, Alvin, and Johnny
have different favorite color among red,
blue, green, and orange. No person’s name
contains the same number of letters as
his/her favorite color. Alvin and the boy who
likes blue live in different parts of town. Red
is the favorite color of one of the girls. What
is each person’s favorite color?

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