Problem Solving

By: Mrs. Garza

Texas Essential
Knowledge and
Skills
Mathematical process standards.
(1)The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and
demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is
expected to:
(B) use a problem-solving model that incorporates
analyzing given information,
formulating a plan or
strategy,
determining a solution, justifying the solution,
and evaluating the problem solving process and
the
reasonableness of the solution.
(3) Number and operations. The student applies
mathematical process standards to develop an
understanding of addition and subtraction situations in
order to solve problems. The student is expected to:
(B) solve word problems using objects and
drawings
to find sums up to 10 and
differences within 10; and
(C) explain the strategies used to solve
problems
involving adding and subtracting
within 10 using spoken
words, concrete
and pictorial models, and number
sentences.

Word Problem #1
"A rubber ball rebounds to half the
height it drops. If the ball is dropped
from a rooftop 18 m above the ground,
what is the total distance traveled by
the time it hits the ground the third
time?
a. 31.5 m
b. 40.5 m
c. 45 m
d. 63 m

We need to draw a picture first, so

we can break our problem down.

1st Bounce was 18

meters

If the ball will bounce back only half of the

way up and half of the way down, that will
be 9m up and 9 m down.

Ball goes up half of 18= 9 m

Ball goes down half of 18=9m

So far, the ball bounced 18+9+9=36m

Next, the ball will bounce 4.5 meters up

and 4.5 meters back down.

Ball goes back up half of 9m,

which is 4.5m.

Ball goes down half of 9m,

which is 4.5 m.

Now, we have 18+9+9+4.5+4.5

Lets make sure we have everything we

need :
Fist bounce was 18m
Second bounce was half of 18 m,
which is 9 m up and 9 m down.
Third and final bounce was half of
9m, which is 4.5 m up and 4.5 m down.

Lets write out our number sentence

18+9+9+4.5+4.5=45m
Did you get the same?

Finally, lets go back to our problem. Is 45m an

answer below?
Yes it is, it is C.

"A rubber ball rebounds to half the height it drops. If the ball is
dropped from a rooftop 18 m above the ground, what is the total
distance traveled by the time it hits the ground the third time?

a. 31.5 m

b. 40.5 m

c. 45 m

d. 63 m

How to solve the Problem

below: