Problem solving and reasoning

Problem solving- is the foundation means of developing mathematical knowledge at any level.
Mathematical problem- is a problem that is inclined to being a represented, analysed, and possibly
solved with the methods of mathematics.

Reasoning- Process of drawing logical inferences.

Drawing inferences or conclusions from known or assured facts.
Process of forming conclusions, judgments, or inferences from facts or premises.
LOGIC - science that evaluates arguments.
ARGUMENT - group of statements including one or more premises and one and only one conclusion.
STATEMENT - sentence that is either true or false. Not all sentences are statements.
PREMISE - statement in an argument that provides reason or support for the conclusion.
CONCLUSION - statement in an argument that indicates of what the arguer is trying to convince the
reader/listener.

Types of Reasoning
INDUCTIVE REASONING
• Process of reaching a GENERAL CONCLUSION by examining
SPECIFIC OBSERVATIONS.
• A few particular premises create a pattern which gives way to a
broad idea that is likely true.
• Finding a conclusion that is most likely to fit the premises
• Used when making predictions, creating generalizations, and
analyzing cause and effect.
 There is a rules or pattern lie behind them.
CONJECTURE – conclusions formed by using Inductive Reasoning. It may or may not be correct.

Example:
1. find the next term in a pattern: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ____ ?
The next number is 3 larger than 15, which is 18.
2. 1,3,6,10,15, ___?
The next number is 6 larger than 15, which is 21, since it appears that the difference
between any two numbers is always 1 more than the preceding difference.
COUNTEREXAMPLE – are cases where the statement is not true
Example:
Consider x= -3. Then √ ¿ ¿

DEDUCTIVE REASONING
• Process of reaching a SPECIFIC CONCLUSION by applying GENERAL
PRINCIPLES, assumptions and procedures.
• Recognized rules, laws, theories, and other widely accepted truths are
used to prove that a conclusion is right
• The most basic form of deductive reasoning is the syllogism.
SYLLOGISM – a form of Deductive Reasoning where you arrive at a specific
conclusion by examining two other premises or ideas.
Example:
1. All men are mortal
Aristotle is a man
Therefore, Aristotle is a mortal

2. All even numbers are divisible by 2

38 is an even number
Therefore, 38 is divisible by 2
3. All musical instruments make sounds
Airplanes make sounds
Therefore, airplanes are musical instruments

EXAMPLE Each of four neighbors, Sean, Maria, Sarah, and Brian has a different occupation (editor,
banker, chef, or dentist). From the ff. clues, determine the occupation of each neighbor.
1. Maria gets home from work after the banker but before the dentist.
2. Sarah, who is the last to get home from work, is not the editor.
3. The dentist and Sarah leave for work at the same time.
4. The banker lives next door to Brian.
editor banker chef dentist
Sian x  x x
Maria  x x x
Sarah X x  x
Brian X x x 
INDUCTIVE VS DEDUCTIVE
INDUCTIVE – premises are used to PREDICT a Conclusion,
SPECIFIC → GENERAL
Logically True, but Realistically may or may not be true
DEDUCTIVE – premises are used to PROVE a Conclusion
GENERAL → SPECIFIC
Logically True and Realistically True

 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 tree will produce plums. (Inductive reasoning)
 All home improvements cost more than the estimate. The contractor estimated that my home
improvement will cost Php 30,000.00. Thus my home improvement will cost more than that.
(deductive reasoning)

Problem solving with patterns

SEQUENCE –.
TERMS – numbers in a sequence separated an ordered list of numbers by a comma.
… (ELLIPSIS) – indicates that the sequence continues beyond the last term.
EX:
2, 5, 8, 11, 14, …
nth Term of a Sequence – written as a subscript notation an a 1represents the 1st term of a
sequence a 2represents the 2nd term of a sequence and a nrepresents the nth term of a sequence

Difference Table – shows the differences between successive terms of a sequence

EX:

12, 25, 39 , 54, 70

13 14 15 16 – 1st difference
1 1 1 - 2nd difference
Common difference= 1
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