Problem Solving

The primary goal of

problem solving is
making sense of
mathematics.
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What is a Problem?
n A problem is a task that requires the learner
to reason through a situation that will be
challenging but not impossible.
n A problem is a situation that confronts the
learner, that requires a resolution, and for
which the path to the answer is not
immediately known.
What is Problem Solving?
n “Problem solving means engaging in a task
for which the solution method is not known
in advance.”
--Principles and Standards for School
Mathematics
n It encompasses exploring, reasoning,
strategizing, estimating, conjecturing,
testing, explaining, and proving.
Exercise/Drill
n An exercise/drill is a set of number
sentences intended for practice in the
development of a skill.
n But BEWARE! Problems can become
exercises!!
 Polya’s Four-Step Process for
Problem Solving

The most famous study of

problem-solving techniques was
developed by George Polya.
George Polya
(1888-1985)
 George Polya:
“The Father of Problem Solving”

POLYA’S
4-STEP:
4. Look back
(verification)
(STEPs
3. Carry out the plan
(Insight)
IN
2. Devise a plan
(thinking time) PROBLEM
1. Understand the problem
(Preparation) SOLVING)
1. Understand the problem
( Find it out).

Read the problem, if possible, several

times, and analyze it carefully.
2. Devise a plan (Choose a strategy).

Devise what appropriate strategy to

attack a problem.
3. Carry out the plan (Solve it).

After knowing a strategy, carry out

your plan of attack.
4. Look back and check.

Check if your answer is reasonable.

Suggested Problem Solving
Strategies

( -used in Step 2 of Polya’s

Problem Solving Process)
Problem Solving Strategies
• Guess and check • Use a model
• Look for a pattern • Work backwards
• Make an orderly list • Use direct reasoning
• Draw a picture or • Use a formula
diagram • Solve an equation
• Solve a simpler • Use common sense
problem

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Inductive reasoning

n In inductive reasoning, one makes

generalizations based on individual
instances or specific observations.

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Deductive reasoning

n In deductive reasoning, one arrives at a

specific conclusion based on general
assumptions, procedures, or principles.

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1. A quadrilateral has four sides.
A square has four sides.
Therefore, a square is a quadrilateral. Deductive
2. 1+3=4
5+7=12
11+13=24
Therefore, the sum of any two
odd numbers is an even number.
Inductive
3. The symbols * and x indicate multiplication operation.
The symbols / and ÷ indicate division operations.
Therefore, *,x,/,and ÷ are operation symbols Inductive
 Let’s solve
some problems!
I am thinking of a two EXAMPLE 1
digit number…

itit is
is odd.
odd. 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81 91
itstens
its tensdigit
digitisiseven.
even.
12 22 32 42 52 62 72 82 92
13 23 33 43 53 63 73 83 93
itit is
is prime.
prime.
14 24 34 44 54 64 74 84 94
the sum
the sum of
of its
its digits
digits 15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85 95
isis 11.
11.
16 26 36 46 56 66 76 86 96
theproduct
the productof ofits
its 17 27 37 47 57 67 77 87 97
digitsisis24.
digits 24. 18 28 38 48 58 68 78 88 98
19 29 39 49 59 69 79 89 99
The answer is
83.
I am thinking of a two EXAMPLE 1
digit number…
Strategy: Making an orderly list
itit is
is odd.
odd. 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
11 21 31 41 51 61 71 81 91
itstens
its tensdigit
digitisiseven.
even.
12 22 32 42 52 62 72 82 92
13 23 33 43 53 63 73 83 93
itit is
is prime.
prime.
14 24 34 44 54 64 74 84 94
the sum
the sum of
of its
its digits
digits 15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85 95
isis 11.
11.
16 26 36 46 56 66 76 86 96
theproduct
the productof ofits
its 17 27 37 47 57 67 77 87 97
digitsisis24.
digits 24. 18 28 38 48 58 68 78 88 98
19 29 39 49 59 69 79 89 99
The answer is
83.
 EXAMPLE 2

If F1=1, what is the 20th

Fibonacci number?
n In 1543, Jacques Binet was able to find a
formula for the nth Fibonacci number.

n Binet’s Formula:

" "
1 1+ 5 1− 5
!" = −
5 2 2
If F1=1, what is the 20th Fibonacci number?

Strategy: Using a Formula

"# "#
1 1+ 5 1− 5
!"# = −
5 2 2
= 6765
 EXAMPLE 3

What is the
50th

Fibonacci number?
What is the 50th Fibonacci number?

"# "#
1 1+ 5 1− 5
!"# = −
5 2 2
= 12,586,269,025
 EXAMPLE 4

Strategy: Looking for a Pattern

Pattern: Each number to the right is obtained by multiplying
the number to its left by the next consecutive number. Thus,
2x3 = 6; 3x4 = 12; 4x5 = 20; 5x6 = 30; 6x7 = 42 … and 9x10 = 90
 EXAMPLE 5

Problem:

n The sum of three consecutive odd integers

is 75. Find the largest integer.
Strategy: Using/Setting-up an Equation
n The sum of three consecutive odd integers is 75. Find the largest
integer.
n Let x = 1st odd integer (smallest)
x + 2 = 2nd odd integer
x + 4 = 3rd odd integer (largest)

x + x + 2 + x + 4 = 75
3x + 6 = 75
3x = 75 – 6
3x = 69
3 3
x = 23

Therefore, the largest odd integer is 23 + 4 = 27

 EXAMPLE 6

Problem:
n A restaurant has only rectangular tables
that can seat 6 people each, with maximum
of 2 people on each side. Find the
minimum number of tables that must be
joined to form a single long table for a
party of 18 people. Show or illustrate how
this can be done.
Strategy: Drawing a picture
The tables must be arranged as illustrated
below:

Answer:
Therefore, four (4) tables must be joined to form
a single long table for a party of 18 people
seated as shown in the above figure.
 EXAMPLE 7

What is the sum of the first 100 numbers?

Solution 1
Students typically will write out the first 100 numbers
and add them in the order written:

1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + … + 97 + 98 + 99 + 100

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Strategy: Looking for a pattern
Solution 2. Note that there is actually a pattern such that:

1 + 100 = 101
2 + 99 = 101
3 + 98 = 101
… and so on.

There are 50 pairs whose sum is 101.

Therefore, the sum of the first 100 numbers is

50 * 101 = 5,050
*Sum of the First n Terms: Sn = (n/2)(a1 + an)
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 EXAMPLE 8

Problem:
n The figure shows a square that is inscribed
by the circle with radius 10cm. Find the
area of the shaded region.
Strategy: Using a formula
n In a square that is inscribed by a circle, the diameter
of the circle is equal to the side of the square.
Therefore, from the given figure:

diameter = 2 x radius = 2(10 cm) = 20 cm = side (s)

Area of shaded region = Area of the square – Area of the circle
= s2 - !r2
= (20)2 – 3.14(10)2
= 86 cm2
 EXAMPLE 9
In a survey of children who saw three different shows at Walt Disney World, the
following information was gathered:
39 children liked The Little Mermaid
43 children liked 101 Dalmatians
56 children liked Mickey Mouse
7 children liked The Little Mermaid and 101 Dalmatians
10 children liked The Little Mermaid and Mickey Mouse
16 children liked 101 Dalmatians and Mickey Mouse
4 children liked The Little Mermaid, 101 Dalmatians, and Mickey Mouse
6 children did not like any of the shows

Draw the Venn diagram and find the number of children who
a) were surveyed
b) liked The Little Mermaid only
c) did not like 101 Dalmatians
d) liked The Little Mermaid or Mickey Mouse but not 101 Dalmatians
e) liked exactly one of the three shows
f) liked at least two of the shows
In a survey of children who saw three
different shows at Walt Disney World,
Strategy: Making a diagram
the following information was
gathered:
39 children liked The Little Mermaid LM D
43 children liked 101 Dalmatians
56 children liked Mickey Mouse 26 3 24
7 children liked The Little Mermaid and 4
101 Dalmatians 6 12
10 children liked The Little Mermaid
and Mickey Mouse 34
16 children liked 101 Dalmatians and
Mickey Mouse MM 6
4 children liked The Little Mermaid, 101
Dalmatians, and Mickey Mouse
6 children did not like any of the shows
Draw the Venn diagram and find the number
of children who:
a) were surveyed 26+6+4+3+34+12+24+6=115
b) liked The Little Mermaid only 26
c) did not like 101 Dalmatians 115-(24+12+3+4) =72
d) liked The Little Mermaid or Mickey
Mouse but not 101 Dalmatians 26+34 = 60
e) liked exactly one of the three shows 26+24+34 =84
f) liked at least two of the shows 3+6+12+4 =25 LM D

26 3 24
4
6 12

34

MM
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 EXAMPLE 10

Problem:
n If Holee can solve a problem set in 3 hours,
and Angelo can answer the same set of
questions in 6 hours, how many hours can
they finish answering the problem set if
they work as a team?
Strategy: Using/Setting-up an Equation
Let t = no. of hours it takes Holee & Angelo to finish
answering the problem set together. Then,
1 1 1
+ =
3 6 t
1 1 1
6' + = 6'
3 6 '
2t + t = 6
3t = 6
t = 2 hours
 EXAMPLE 11

Investment Problem:
n Teddy invested part of his savings at 6%
interest and the rest at 7.5%. The annual
interest on two investments totals P6,825.
How much money is invested at each rate
if the total investment is P100,000?
Solution:
n Clue: I = Prt
n Where I = simple interest
n P = principal
n r = rate of interest, %
n T = time in years
Strategy: Using an Equation/Formula
n Let: P1 = amount invested at 6%
P2 =100,000 – P1 = amount invested at 7.5%
Equation: I1 + I2 = 6,825
P1(0.06)(1) + (100,000 - P1)(0.075)(1) = 6,825
0.06P1 + 7500 – 0.075P1 = 6,825
-0.015P1 = 6,825 – 7500
-0.015P1 = -675
P1 = Php45,000 is the amount invested at 6%
P2 = Php55,000 is the amount invested at 7.5%
 END OF
PRESENTATION