PROBLEM SOLVING: INDUCTIVE AND DEDUCTIVE REASONING

What is a Problem?

 A problem is a statement requiring a solution, usually by means of mathematical

operation/geometric construction.
What is a Problem Solving?

 The word “method” means the ways or techniques used to get the answer which will,
usually involve one or more problem solving strategies.
 “Problem solving” is a process – an ongoing activity which we take what we know to
discover what we don’t know.
Problem – solving involves three basics functions:
1. Seeking Information
2. Generating new knowledge
3. Making decisions
Mathematical Reasoning

 It refers to the ability of a person to analyze problem situations and construct logical
arguments to justify the process or hypothesis, to create both conceptual foundations
and connections, in order for him to be able to process the information.
Inductive Reasoning
- is the process of reaching a general conclusion by examining specific examples.
Use Inductive Reasoning to predict number

 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ?
 Each successive number is 3 larger than the preceding number. Thus we predict that
the next number in the list is 3 larger that 15, which is 18.
 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ?
 The first two numbers differ by 2. The second and the third numbers differ by 3. It
appears that the difference between any two numbers is always 1 more than the
preceding difference. Since 10 and 15 differ by 5, we predict that the next number in
the list will be 6 larger than 15, which is 21.
Use Inductive Reasoning to make Conjecture

 Consider the following procedure: Pick a number. Multiply the number by 8, add 6 to
the product, divide the sum by 2, and subtract 3.
 Use inducive reasoning to make a conjecture about the relationship between the size of
the resulting number and the size of the original number.
Solution:
Original Number: 5 Divided by 2: 40 ÷ 2 = 23
Multiply by 8: 8 x 5 = 40 Subtract 3: 23-3 = 20
Add 6: 40 + 6 = 46
We conjecture that the give procedures a number is four times the original number.
Use inductive Reasoning to Solve an Application

Length of Period of
Pendulum pendulum in
heartbeats The period of a pendulum is the
1 1 time is the time it takes for the
4 2 pendulum to swing from left to
right and back to its original
9 3
position
16 4
25 5
36 6

a. If a pendulum has a length of 49 units, what is its period?

- In the table, each pendulum has a period that is the square root of its length. Thus we
conjecture that the pendulum with length of 49 units will have a period of 7 heartbeats.
b. If the length of a pendulum is quadrupled, what happens to its period?
- In the table, a pendulum with a length of 4 units has a period of 4 units has a period that
is twice that of a pendulum with a length of 1 unit. A pendulum with a length of 16 units
has a period that is twice that of a pendulum with a length of 4 units. It appears that
quadrupling the length of pendulum doubles its period.
Counterexamples

 A statement is a true statement provided that is true in all cases. If you can find one
case for which a statement is not true, called a counterexample, then the statement is
false statement.
Examples:

 Every number that is multiple of 10 is divisible by 4.

100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150
100 ÷ 4 = 25 110 ÷ 4 = 27.5 120 ÷ 4 = 30
With this example, we have shown that not all multiples of 10 are divisible by 4, we call 110 as
counterexample.
Verify that each of the following statements is false statement by finding a counterexample.
For all numbers x:

 |x| > 0
 Let x = 0. Then |0| = 0
Thus “for all numbers x, |x| > 0” is false statement.

 x² > x
 Let x = 1. Then 1² = 1
Thus “for all numbers x,x² > x” is a false
 √x² = x
 Let x = -3. Then √(-3)² = √9 = 3.
Thus “For all numbers x, √x² = x” is a false statement.
Deductive Reasoning
- Is the process of reaching a conclusion by applying general; assumptions, procedures, or
principles.
Example:

 If a number is divisible by 2, then it must be even.

12 is divisible by 2
Therefore, 12 is an even number.
 If a ∠A and ∠B are supplementary angles, their sum is 180 °.
If m ∠A = 100, Then m ∠B = 80.
Use deductive reasoning to Establishment a Conjecture

 Pic a number. Multiply the number by 8, add 6 to the product, divide the sum by 2, and
subtract 3.
 Let n represent the original number
8n
8n + 6
8 n+6
= 4n + 3
2
4n + 3 – 3 = 4n
We started with n and ended with 4n. The procedure given in this examples procedures a
number that is four times the original number.
Determine what types of reasoning

 During the past 10 years, a tree has produced plums every other year. Last year the tree
did not produce plums, so this year the three will produce plums.
Answer: Inductive Reasoning

 All home improvements cost more than the estimate. The contractor estimated that my
home improvement will cost $35, 000. Thus my home improvement will cost more than
$35, 000.
Answer: Deductive Reasoning