Polya’s Problem Solving Strategy

Four -Step Problem-Solving Strategy

1. Understand the problem
2. Devise a plan
3. Carry out the plan
4. Review the solution

Understand the problem – This part of the problem is sometimes, if not always, neglected. In
order to solve a problem, one must first know what is being asked, and what information or
data can be extracted from what is given. Furthermore, one must see to it that he or she can
state the problem in his or her own words.
Devise a Plan – For this step, one must think of strategies to solve the problem. Some of these
strategies include organizing the given information using a list, table or chart; drawing a
diagram; working out the problem backwards; looking for a pattern, trying to solve a similar but
simpler problem; writing an equation; or simply guessing at a possible solution and then later
checking if the result is valid.
Carry out the Plan – Carry out the plan to solve the problem is basically implementing the
strategy chosen in the second step until the problem is solved or until a new course of action is
suggested. One may get ideas from others in deciding the best strategy to make sure that the
best solution is employed.
Review the Solution – Questions like “Is your answer reasonable?” is important in checking the
veracity of the answer to the problem. For example, if one is looking for the dimension of a
rectangle box of least cost and his or her answer yields a negative length, he or she can
automatically say that there must be something wrong with the solution because there is no
such box with negative dimensions.
For example. Computing the height of the person.
Leonardo da Vinci was a famous artist during the renaissance period. He wrote in his notebook
that “from the top to the bottom of the chin is the sixth part of the face, and it is the fifty-fourth
part of the man.” Suppose the distance from the top to the bottom of the chin of the person is
1.2 inches. Using Leonardo da Vinci’s measurements, find the height of the person.
Solution:
Understand the Problem. Obviously one needs to find the height of the person in this problem.
Devise a Plan. Let x represent the unknown height of the person. Write an equation satisfying
da Vinci’s measurements.
Carry out the Plan.
Let x = height of the person
Equation
1
x = 1.2
54

X = 64.8 in or 5.4 ft
Thus, the person is 5.4 ft tall.
Review the Solution. The solution is quite simple. Now check your progress – follow da Vinci’s
measurements to find your best friend’s height.

Exercises.
1. An agency charged P15,000 for a 3-day and 2-night tour in Macau and P20,000 for the same
tour with a side trip to Hong Kong. Ten persons joined the trip, which enable them to collect
P170,000. How many tourists made a side trip to Hong Kong?
2.In 2017 Venus’ birthday fell on a Saturday, June 3. On what day of the week does Venus’
birthday fall in 2020? Note that the year 2020 is a leap year.