Problem Solving
(GEC 104 - Mathematics in the Modern World)
Amerah M. Dibagulun, PhD
Mathematics Department
Mindanao State University-Main Campus
Marawi City
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning is the process of reaching a general
conclusion by examining specific examples.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning is the process of reaching a general
conclusion by examining specific examples.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning is the process of reaching a general
conclusion by examining specific examples.
– Specific to General
Deductive Reasoning is the process of reaching a conclusion
by applying general assumptions, procedures or principles.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning is the process of reaching a general
conclusion by examining specific examples.
– Specific to General
Deductive Reasoning is the process of reaching a conclusion
by applying general assumptions, procedures or principles.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Inductive and Deductive Reasoning
Inductive Reasoning is the process of reaching a general
conclusion by examining specific examples.
– Specific to General
Deductive Reasoning is the process of reaching a conclusion
by applying general assumptions, procedures or principles.
– General to Specific
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Determine whether each of the following arguments
is an example of inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning:
1. Each time your mom goes to the store, she buys milk. so,
the next time your mom goes to the store, she will buy
milk.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Determine whether each of the following arguments
is an example of inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning:
1. Each time your mom goes to the store, she buys milk. so,
the next time your mom goes to the store, she will buy
milk.
Answer: Inductive reasoning
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Determine whether each of the following arguments
is an example of inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning:
1. Each time your mom goes to the store, she buys milk. so,
the next time your mom goes to the store, she will buy
milk.
Answer: Inductive reasoning
2. All multiples of 8 are divisible by 4. 64 is a multiple of 8.
So, 64 is divisible by 4.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Determine whether each of the following arguments
is an example of inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning:
1. Each time your mom goes to the store, she buys milk. so,
the next time your mom goes to the store, she will buy
milk.
Answer: Inductive reasoning
2. All multiples of 8 are divisible by 4. 64 is a multiple of 8.
So, 64 is divisible by 4.
Answer: Deductive reasoning
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Determine whether each of the following arguments
is an example of inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning:
1. Each time your mom goes to the store, she buys milk. so,
the next time your mom goes to the store, she will buy
milk.
Answer: Inductive reasoning
2. All multiples of 8 are divisible by 4. 64 is a multiple of 8.
So, 64 is divisible by 4.
Answer: Deductive reasoning
3. A person must have a membership to work out at a gym.
Jessy is working out at a gym. Jessy has a membership to
the gym.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Determine whether each of the following arguments
is an example of inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning:
1. Each time your mom goes to the store, she buys milk. so,
the next time your mom goes to the store, she will buy
milk.
Answer: Inductive reasoning
2. All multiples of 8 are divisible by 4. 64 is a multiple of 8.
So, 64 is divisible by 4.
Answer: Deductive reasoning
3. A person must have a membership to work out at a gym.
Jessy is working out at a gym. Jessy has a membership to
the gym.
Answer: Deductive reasoning
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Determine whether each of the following arguments
is an example of inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning:
4. A dental assistant notices a patient has never been on time
for an appointment. She concluded the patient will be late
for her next appointment.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Determine whether each of the following arguments
is an example of inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning:
4. A dental assistant notices a patient has never been on time
for an appointment. She concluded the patient will be late
for her next appointment.
Answer: Inductive reasoning
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Determine whether each of the following arguments
is an example of inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning:
4. A dental assistant notices a patient has never been on time
for an appointment. She concluded the patient will be late
for her next appointment.
Answer: Inductive reasoning
5. All home improvements cost more than the estimate. The
contractor estimated that my home improvement will cost
1,995,000 pesos. Thus, my home improvement will cost
more than 1,995,000 pesos.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Determine whether each of the following arguments
is an example of inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning:
4. A dental assistant notices a patient has never been on time
for an appointment. She concluded the patient will be late
for her next appointment.
Answer: Inductive reasoning
5. All home improvements cost more than the estimate. The
contractor estimated that my home improvement will cost
1,995,000 pesos. Thus, my home improvement will cost
more than 1,995,000 pesos.
Answer: Deductive reasoning
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Terms of a Sequence
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Terms of a Sequence
An Ordered list of numbers a1 , a2 , a3 , . . . , an−1 , an , . . .;where n
is a natural number, is called a sequence. The numbers in a
sequence that are separated by commas are the terms of a
sequence. The subscript notation an denotes the nth term of a
sequence.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Terms of a Sequence
An Ordered list of numbers a1 , a2 , a3 , . . . , an−1 , an , . . .;where n
is a natural number, is called a sequence. The numbers in a
sequence that are separated by commas are the terms of a
sequence. The subscript notation an denotes the nth term of a
sequence.
A difference table shows the difference between successive
terms of a sequence.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Use inductive reasoning or difference table to
predict the next number in each of the following lists.
1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Use inductive reasoning or difference table to
predict the next number in each of the following lists.
1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,
Answer: 18
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Use inductive reasoning or difference table to
predict the next number in each of the following lists.
1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,
Answer: 18
2. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15,
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Use inductive reasoning or difference table to
predict the next number in each of the following lists.
1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,
Answer: 18
2. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15,
Answer: 21
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Use inductive reasoning or difference table to
predict the next number in each of the following lists.
1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,
Answer: 18
2. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15,
Answer: 21
3. 2, 7, 24, 59, 118, 207,
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Use inductive reasoning or difference table to
predict the next number in each of the following lists.
1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,
Answer: 18
2. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15,
Answer: 21
3. 2, 7, 24, 59, 118, 207,
Answer: 332
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Use inductive reasoning or difference table to
predict the next number in each of the following lists.
1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,
Answer: 18
2. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15,
Answer: 21
3. 2, 7, 24, 59, 118, 207,
Answer: 332
4. 10, 10, 12, 16, 22, 30,
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Use inductive reasoning or difference table to
predict the next number in each of the following lists.
1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,
Answer: 18
2. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15,
Answer: 21
3. 2, 7, 24, 59, 118, 207,
Answer: 332
4. 10, 10, 12, 16, 22, 30,
Answer: 40
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Use inductive reasoning or difference table to
predict the next number in each of the following lists.
1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,
Answer: 18
2. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15,
Answer: 21
3. 2, 7, 24, 59, 118, 207,
Answer: 332
4. 10, 10, 12, 16, 22, 30,
Answer: 40
5. −1, 4, 21, 56, 115, 204,
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example. Use inductive reasoning or difference table to
predict the next number in each of the following lists.
1. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15,
Answer: 18
2. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15,
Answer: 21
3. 2, 7, 24, 59, 118, 207,
Answer: 332
4. 10, 10, 12, 16, 22, 30,
Answer: 40
5. −1, 4, 21, 56, 115, 204,
Answer: 329
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
nth Term Formula for a Sequence
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
nth Term Formula for a Sequence
Example 1. Find the first five terms of the sequence defined
by the formula an = 3n2 + n.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
nth Term Formula for a Sequence
Example 1. Find the first five terms of the sequence defined
by the formula an = 3n2 + n.
Answer: 1, 14, 30, 52, 80
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 2. Assume the pattern shown by the square tiles in
the following figures continues:
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 2. Assume the pattern shown by the square tiles in
the following figures continues:
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
Answer: 3n − 1
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
Answer: 3n − 1
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
Answer: 3n − 1
2. How many tiles are there in the 8th figure of the sequence?
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
Answer: 3n − 1
2. How many tiles are there in the 8th figure of the sequence?
Answer: 23 tiles
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
Answer: 3n − 1
2. How many tiles are there in the 8th figure of the sequence?
Answer: 23 tiles
3. Which figure will consist of exactly 320 tiles?
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
Answer: 3n − 1
2. How many tiles are there in the 8th figure of the sequence?
Answer: 23 tiles
3. Which figure will consist of exactly 320 tiles?
Answer: 107th figure
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3. Assume the pattern shown by the square tiles in
the following figures continues:
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3. Assume the pattern shown by the square tiles in
the following figures continues:
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
Answer: an = n2 + n − 1
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
Answer: an = n2 + n − 1
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
Answer: an = n2 + n − 1
2. How many tiles are there in the 10th figure of the sequence?
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
Answer: an = n2 + n − 1
2. How many tiles are there in the 10th figure of the sequence?
Answer: 109 tiles
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
Answer: an = n2 + n − 1
2. How many tiles are there in the 10th figure of the sequence?
Answer: 109 tiles
3. Which figure will consist of exactly 419 tiles?
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
1. What is the nth term formula for the number of tiles in the
nth figure of the sequence?
Answer: an = n2 + n − 1
2. How many tiles are there in the 10th figure of the sequence?
Answer: 109 tiles
3. Which figure will consist of exactly 419 tiles?
Answer: 20th term
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Logic Puzzles
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 1. Each of 4 neighbors, Nurhaya, Norlailah,
Normalah and Najma, has different occupation (Editor, Banker,
Chef or Dentist). From the following clues, determine the
occupation of each neighbor:
1 Norlailah gets home from work after the banker but before
the dentist.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 1. Each of 4 neighbors, Nurhaya, Norlailah,
Normalah and Najma, has different occupation (Editor, Banker,
Chef or Dentist). From the following clues, determine the
occupation of each neighbor:
1 Norlailah gets home from work after the banker but before
the dentist.
2 Normalah, who is the last to get home, is not the editor.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 1. Each of 4 neighbors, Nurhaya, Norlailah,
Normalah and Najma, has different occupation (Editor, Banker,
Chef or Dentist). From the following clues, determine the
occupation of each neighbor:
1 Norlailah gets home from work after the banker but before
the dentist.
2 Normalah, who is the last to get home, is not the editor.
3 The dentist and Normalah leave for work at the same time.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 1. Each of 4 neighbors, Nurhaya, Norlailah,
Normalah and Najma, has different occupation (Editor, Banker,
Chef or Dentist). From the following clues, determine the
occupation of each neighbor:
1 Norlailah gets home from work after the banker but before
the dentist.
2 Normalah, who is the last to get home, is not the editor.
3 The dentist and Normalah leave for work at the same time.
4 The banker lives next door to Najma.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 1. Each of 4 neighbors, Nurhaya, Norlailah,
Normalah and Najma, has different occupation (Editor, Banker,
Chef or Dentist). From the following clues, determine the
occupation of each neighbor:
1 Norlailah gets home from work after the banker but before
the dentist.
2 Normalah, who is the last to get home, is not the editor.
3 The dentist and Normalah leave for work at the same time.
4 The banker lives next door to Najma.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 1. Each of 4 neighbors, Nurhaya, Norlailah,
Normalah and Najma, has different occupation (Editor, Banker,
Chef or Dentist). From the following clues, determine the
occupation of each neighbor:
1 Norlailah gets home from work after the banker but before
the dentist.
2 Normalah, who is the last to get home, is not the editor.
3 The dentist and Normalah leave for work at the same time.
4 The banker lives next door to Najma.
Answer: Nurhaya is the banker, Norlailah is the editor,
Normalah is the chef and Najma is the dentist.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 2. Brianna, Ryan, Tyler and Ashley were recently
elected as new society officers (President, Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer) in the Mathematical Society of
Philippines. From the following clues, determine which
positions each hold:
1 Ashley is younger than the President but older than the
Treasurer.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 2. Brianna, Ryan, Tyler and Ashley were recently
elected as new society officers (President, Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer) in the Mathematical Society of
Philippines. From the following clues, determine which
positions each hold:
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.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 2. Brianna, Ryan, Tyler and Ashley were recently
elected as new society officers (President, Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer) in the Mathematical Society of
Philippines. From the following clues, determine which
positions each hold:
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.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 2. Brianna, Ryan, Tyler and Ashley were recently
elected as new society officers (President, Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer) in the Mathematical Society of
Philippines. From the following clues, determine which
positions each hold:
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.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 2. Brianna, Ryan, Tyler and Ashley were recently
elected as new society officers (President, Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer) in the Mathematical Society of
Philippines. From the following clues, determine which
positions each hold:
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.
Answer: Brianna is the Treasurer, Ryan is the Secretary, Tyler
is the President and Ashley is the Vice President.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3. Merry, Cherry and Terry each have two different
occupations, which are also different from one anothers. Their
occupations are writer, doctor, architect, teacher, lawyer, and
artist. Who has what career?
1 The teacher and the writer went skiing with Merry.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3. Merry, Cherry and Terry each have two different
occupations, which are also different from one anothers. Their
occupations are writer, doctor, architect, teacher, lawyer, and
artist. Who has what career?
1 The teacher and the writer went skiing with Merry.
2 The doctor hired the artist to paint a mural.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3. Merry, Cherry and Terry each have two different
occupations, which are also different from one anothers. Their
occupations are writer, doctor, architect, teacher, lawyer, and
artist. Who has what career?
1 The teacher and the writer went skiing with Merry.
2 The doctor hired the artist to paint a mural.
3 The doctor had a meeting with the teacher.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3. Merry, Cherry and Terry each have two different
occupations, which are also different from one anothers. Their
occupations are writer, doctor, architect, teacher, lawyer, and
artist. Who has what career?
1 The teacher and the writer went skiing with Merry.
2 The doctor hired the artist to paint a mural.
3 The doctor had a meeting with the teacher.
4 The artist is related to the architect.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3. Merry, Cherry and Terry each have two different
occupations, which are also different from one anothers. Their
occupations are writer, doctor, architect, teacher, lawyer, and
artist. Who has what career?
1 The teacher and the writer went skiing with Merry.
2 The doctor hired the artist to paint a mural.
3 The doctor had a meeting with the teacher.
4 The artist is related to the architect.
5 Terry beat Cherry and the artist at chess.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3. Merry, Cherry and Terry each have two different
occupations, which are also different from one anothers. Their
occupations are writer, doctor, architect, teacher, lawyer, and
artist. Who has what career?
1 The teacher and the writer went skiing with Merry.
2 The doctor hired the artist to paint a mural.
3 The doctor had a meeting with the teacher.
4 The artist is related to the architect.
5 Terry beat Cherry and the artist at chess.
6 Cherry lives next door to the writer.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3. Merry, Cherry and Terry each have two different
occupations, which are also different from one anothers. Their
occupations are writer, doctor, architect, teacher, lawyer, and
artist. Who has what career?
1 The teacher and the writer went skiing with Merry.
2 The doctor hired the artist to paint a mural.
3 The doctor had a meeting with the teacher.
4 The artist is related to the architect.
5 Terry beat Cherry and the artist at chess.
6 Cherry lives next door to the writer.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3. Merry, Cherry and Terry each have two different
occupations, which are also different from one anothers. Their
occupations are writer, doctor, architect, teacher, lawyer, and
artist. Who has what career?
1 The teacher and the writer went skiing with Merry.
2 The doctor hired the artist to paint a mural.
3 The doctor had a meeting with the teacher.
4 The artist is related to the architect.
5 Terry beat Cherry and the artist at chess.
6 Cherry lives next door to the writer.
Answer: Merry is the Lawyer and Artist, Cherry is the
Architect and Teacher, and Terry is the Writer and Doctor.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Polyas Problem-Solving Strategy
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Ancient Mathematicians such as Euclid and Pappus
were interested in Solving Mathematical problems, but they
were also interested in heuristics, the study of the methods and
rules of discovery and invention. In the 17th century, the
mathematician and philosopher Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
contributed to the field of heuristics. He tried to develop a
universal problem-solving method. Although he did not achieve
his goal, he did publish some of his ideas in “Rules for the
Direction of the Mind” and his better-known work
“Discourse de la methode’’.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Another mathematician and philosopher, Gottfried
Wilhelm Leibnitz (1640-1716) planned to write a book on
heuristics titled “Art of Invention”. On the problem solving
process, Leibnitz wrote
“Nothing is more important to see the sources of the invention
which are in my opinion, more interesting than the inventions
themselves”
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.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Polyas Problem-Solving Strategy
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Polyas 4-Step Problem-Solving Strategy
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 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?
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 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?
Answer: There are 6 different orders with two wins and two
losses in four games:
LLWW,LWLW,LWWL,WWLL,WLLW,WLWL
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 2. A true-false quiz contains five questions. In how
many ways can a student answer the questions if the student
answers two of the questions with “false” and the other three
with “true”?
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 2. A true-false quiz contains five questions. In how
many ways can a student answer the questions if the student
answers two of the questions with “false” and the other three
with “true”?
Answer: There are 10 ways for a student to mark two questions
with “false” and the other three with “true”.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3. If six people greet each other at a meeting by
shaking hands with one another, how many handshakes will
take place?
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 3. If six people greet each other at a meeting by
shaking hands with one another, how many handshakes will
take place?
Answer: There will be a total of 15 handshakes.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 4. A hat and a jacket together cost $100. The jacket
costs $90 more than the hat. What are the cost of the hat and
the cost of the jacket?
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 4. A hat and a jacket together cost $100. The jacket
costs $90 more than the hat. What are the cost of the hat and
the cost of the jacket?
Answer: The cost of the hat is $5 and the cost of the jacket is
$95.
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
Example 5. In a certain school, girl constitute 65% of the
population. If 3900 of these are girls, how many of them are
boys?
Answer: 2100
GEC104 - Mathematics in the Modern World
