CHAPTER 5: Problem Solving

Reflection:

People sometimes have trouble understanding mathematical ideas—not

because the ideas are difficult, but because they are being presented in a

foreign language which is the language of mathematics.

There are three subtopics under this lesson ‘Problem Solving.’ First is

the ‘Phrases, Sentences in Mathematical, next is the ‘Polya’s Rules in Problem

Solving’, and last is ‘Recreational Mathematics.’ PHRASES, SENTENCES IN

MATHEMATICAL, a mathematical phrases is combining numbers and variables

in a valid way, using operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication,

division. For example; the mathematical phrases of addition are: plus, the sum

of, increased by, total, more than, and added to, while verbal phrases can be

translated into variable expression. For example; the verbal phrase is this ‘the

sum of a number’ and when we translate it into variable expression it would be

like this ‘n+9.’ Mathematical Sentence is a correct arrangement of

mathematical symbols that states a complete thought. A sentence can be

always true/always false, or sometimes true/sometimes false. For example,

the sentence ‘1+2=3’ is true and the sentence ‘1+2=4’ is false. The sentence

‘x=2’ is sometimes true/sometimes false—it is true when x is 2, and false

otherwise. There are two types of sentences: An open sentence is a

sentence which contains a variable for example 4x-6=12, while closed

sentence is a mathematical statement containing no variables for example

1+2=3. George Polya is known as the father of problem solving, he did

extensive and wrote numerous mathematical papers and three books about

problem solving. POLYA’S PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGY Polya has four

problem solving strategy. First is Understanding the problem, then Devise a

Plan, next is Carry Out the Plan, and last is Looking Back. RECREATIONAL

MATHEMATICS are not typical ‘learn the formula and apply’ approach. It uses

game to solve math problem for example sudoku. The benefits of

recreational math are many. The first and most obvious is that using math to

solve a puzzle makes it more fun for the students.

 As a human being who encounter problems in life, I can apply ‘Polya’s

Problem Solving Strategy’ First is Understanding the problem, then Devise a

Plan, next is Carry Out the Plan, and last is Looking Back. This strategy would

be my guideline in solving my real-life problems.

Dazo, Daisyre D.

BEED-A2020