Palileo, Trisha Marie P.

MATH 10 (M)

Module 2: George Polya

George Polya was a Hungarian mathematician and the most influential mathematician during
his times. Consequently, he was known as the father of the modern emphasis in math education
on problem solving (UPI in New York Times, 1985). He has contributed significantly to different
areas of mathematics such as probability theory, number theory, the theory of functions, and the
calculus of variation (CMC, n.d.).

His notable book in 1945, How to Solve It, brought him to being known by many. This book also
featured the four-step method to solve all kinds of problems that he himself designed. First,
understand the problem, then make a plan, execute the plan, and lastly, look back and reflect.
This four-step rule is effortlessly understood by many and as it is universal in definition, the
method has become a classic in solving word problems.

This is George Polya’s Four Step Process in Problem Solving:

Step 1. Understand the problem.

Figure out what is being asked. What is known? What is not known? What type of answer is
required? Is the problem similar to other problems you’ve seen? Are there any important terms
for which you should look up definitions?

Step 2. Make a plan.

Come up with some strategies for solving the problem. Common strategies include making a
list, drawing a picture, eliminating possibilities, using a formula, guessing and checking, and
solving a simpler, related problem.

Step 3. Execute the plan.

Use the strategy chosen in Step 2 to solve the problem. If you encounter difficulties using the
strategy, you may want to use resources such as the textbook to help. If the strategy itself
appears not to be working, return to Step 2 and select a different strategy

Step 4. Look back and reflect.

Part of Step 4 is to find a way to check your answer, preferably using a different method than
what you used to solve the problem. Another part of Step 4 is to evaluate the method you used
to solve the problem. Was it effective? Are there ways you could have made it more effective?
Are there other types of problems with which you might be able to use this type of solution
method?
Retrieved from Tool for the Field: Polya’s Problem Solving Method
(https://www.opepp.org/lesson/hsdm-unit7-tool-for-field/)

His design of the problem solving method is quite easy to understand and most likely easier to
remember than those confusing mathematical formulas but I can say that this could get tricky at
some times. If you get lost, say for example, while trying to execute the strategy chosen in Step
2 then end up not having the answer you are looking for, then it is highly anticipated that you
would go back for Step 2 again. You go back again for every step until you have satisfied the
problem. On the other hand, I think that is the beauty of this process and would always remind
us that nothing comes easy.

As far as I can tell, this process doesn’t seemingly just apply to math but can also be applied to
real life situations. There are two things I remembered that I was in the situation where I
unknowingly used this method:

First one is when I am trying to secure an original copy of my birth certificate at the main office
of PSA which is in another town, a bus away from our place. To cut things short, I got lost when
I got there because I am not familiar with the place and the google map I'm looking at gave me
the wrong direction. And so then, I didn’t let panic take control and used my senses so I could
finish my errand. I politely asked the guard on the building as well as different people in the
street how I could get to the PSA office. To my surprise, I got to the office right in time and had
my document given.

Secondly, is when I was rushed in looking for a costume to be used in my school’s program
back in SHS. That situation has stressed me alot finding a specific type of costume that I
wanted to wear. So then, I have assessed my situation that if ever I will not be able to find what I
am looking for, I will just buy a piece of fabric and have it tailored by my known tailor. So to end
the story, I went for my Plan B. The moral in here, which I think relates also to the four-step
process in problem solving of Polya is that we always have to analyze and assess the situation,
create plans to choose to, think which of them is more efficient and would best benefit you, and
after that is learn to reflect on the experiences.