PROBLEM SOLVING

WEEK 8
STRATEGIES
LERSAN B. DEL MUNDO, MS
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

use Polya's four-step

apply Polya's four-step problem-solving
explain Polya's four-
problem-solving in strategy to design
step problem-solving
solving certain model solutions to
strategy;
problems; practical problems that
arise in nature.
Defining Problem Solving

What is your definition of a

problem solving?

Problem solving in a mathematician’s

point of view is about engaging with real
problems, guessing, discovering, and
making sense of mathematics.
 Seeking solutions rather than
just memorizing procedures

Exploring patterns rather than

Defining just memorizing formulas
Problem
Solving
Formulating conjectures rather
than just doing exercise
 George Polya
(1887-1985)

´ Famous 20th century mathematician of Hungarian

descent
´ Known for many major mathematical theories
´ Fascinated with how people worked through
mathematical problems
´ Famous for a quote that relates to it being better
to work on one problem in many different ways
rather than working on many problems in the
same way
 George Polya
(1887-1985)

“A great discovery solves a great

problem but there is a grain of
discovery in the solution of any
problem. Your problem may be
modest; but if it challenges your
curiosity and brings into play your
inventive faculties, and if you solve it
by your own means, you may
experience the tension and enjoy the
triumph of discovery”
https://youtu.be/zhL3EMFSm6o
 Last Christmas, Angel was able to collect 12
bills consisting of P20 bills and P50 bills from
her Titos and Titas. She received a total bill
of P390 from them. How many of each bill
did Angel receive? No. of No. of Total Amount
P20 bill P50 bill
1. UNDERSTAND 3. SOLVE
• Distribute 12 bills into two (see table) 11 1 11(20) + 1(50) =
denominations. 270
10 2 10(20) + 2(50) =
2. PLAN (Trial and Error) 4. CHECK
• I need to know how many ways of 300
splitting the bills into two 390 = 7(20) + 5(50) 9 3 9(20) + 3(50) = 330
denominations. = 140 + 250 8 4 8(20) + 4(50) = 360
• 11-1, 10-2, 9-3, 8-4, 7-5, 6-6, …, 1-11 =390
• 11 ways! 7 5 7(20) + 5(50) = 390
6 6 6(20) + 6(50) = 420
 Last Christmas, Angel was able to collect 12
bills consisting of P20 bills and P50 bills from
her Titos and Titas. She received a total bill
of P390 from them. How many of each bill
did Angel receive? 3. SOLUTION
1. UNDERSTAND
From Eq (1), we can extract the
• Distribute 12 bills into two denominations.
value of x from y, in the form of
2. PLAN (Algebraic Expression) y = 12 – x Eq (3)
• Let x be the number of P20.00 bills, and y
be the number of P50.00 bills. Since there From E(2), we substitute
20x + 50y = 390
are only 12 paper bills:
20x + 50(12-x) = 390 4. CHECK
• x + y = 12 Eq (1)
• The amount of P20.00 bills is 20x whereas 20x +600 – 50x = 390
- 30x = - 210 x+y =12
the amount of P50.00 bills is 50y, giving us:
• 20x +50y =390 Eq (2) x=7 7+5=12
From Eq(1): 7+y = 12 12=12
• Concept on System of Equations with Two
Y = 12-7
Unknown.
y=5
WEEK 8 – ASSESSMENT
(Due on Oct 18)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhlc7peGlGg
´ Watch the video clip and complete the statements that follow:
1. Three (3) things that I significantly learned from the video clip.
2. Three (3) things that are still unclear to me.
3. I used to think that …
4. Three (3) questions that I want to ask about the video clip.