Problem Solving
and Reasoning
Mathematics in the Modern World
Lesson’s Learning Outcomes
1. Solve problems in systematic and logical process;
2. Perform problem solving with fun and excitement.
The Cockroft Report (1982)
Mathematics is useful because it provides a
means of communication which is powerful,
concise and unambiguous
Proficiencies in Focus
Ability to make choices, interpret,
Problem formulate, model and investigate
Solving problem situations, and
communicate solutions effectively
Sophisticated capacity for logical
thought and actions, such as
Reasoning analyzing, proving, evaluating,
explaining, inferring, justifying, and
generalizing
Actual Process
Problem
Experiment
Conjecture
Proof Counterexample Give up
Generalize Extend For now For ever!
General “rule”
“Rules” when solving math problems.
• Read and Understand (available and needed
information)
• Plan and Solve (know your approach)
• Look back and check (problem adequately answered)
Aptitude Test - Teaching for…
This approach of teaching problem solving aims at
strengthening the conceptual understanding of
students. It usually prepares students to answer
standard textbook problems (usually end of chapter
exercises).
Aptitude Test - Teaching for…
Example: Ed invested a certain amount of money in the
bank and the money earned 4% interest in the first
year. He added Php1,000 to the investment at the end
of the first year and the whole investment earned 3%
interest in the second year. This amounted to
Php6,171.76 at the end of the second year. How much
money did Ed invest at the start of the first year?
Aptitude Test - Teaching for…
Example: John’s age is below the retirement age (under
Philippine laws). When you add the digits of his age,
the sum is 9. His age lies between two prime numbers.
If his age is a multiple of 6, how old is he?
Aptitude Test - Teaching for…
Example: Mel is three times as old as her son. In 12
years, Mel’s age will be one year less than twice her
son’s age. How old is each now?
Aptitude Test - Teaching for…
Example: Beth has seven more quarters than dimes and
one less nickel than dimes. The total value of her coins
is $3.70. How many of each type of coin does Beth
have?
Teaching about…..
Inductive vs Deductive Reasoning
Inductive – generates a conclusion based on the
examination of specific examples (the
conclusion formed is called conjecture – it may
or may not be correct)
Deductive – generates a conclusion by applying general
assumptions, procedures, or principles.
This approach of teaching problem solving focuses on
the ability to vary methods/strategies of solving
problems.
Teaching about…..
Example: Erin is twelve years old. For three years, she has been
asking her parents for a dog. Her parents have told her that they
believe a dog would not be happy in an apartment, but they
have given her permission to have a bird. Erin has not yet
decided what kind of birds she would like to have. What can you
conclude from this situation?
a) Erin’s parents like birds better than they like dogs
b) Erin does not like birds.
c) Erin and her parents live in an apartment.
d) Erin and her parents would like to move.
Teaching about…..
Example: In order to win the grand prize, Benny has to
crack this secret code. Given the clues, help Benny crack
the code: 8 3 __ __ 6 5
a) the 3rd digit is greater than the second digit
b) the difference between the third and the fourth is 3
c) when the sum of all the numbers is divided by 5, it
has a remainder of 3.
d) when the sum of all the numbers is divided by 6, it
has a remainder of 3
Teaching about…..
Example:
• Pirena thinks her stripes are the most beautiful
• Alena always swims between her two spotted friends, Ibrahim and Akil
• Danaya is helping Akil remember the routine and swims in front of him
• Ybarro is upset because he doesn’t have any dots or stripes.
Teaching about…..
Example: In how many ways can the pictures of Yuan,
Andoy and Ethan be hung in the walls of Billie’s room?
Teaching about…..
Example: Eight schools are competing in the UAAP
women’s volleyball tournament. In the first round of
elimination, each team must play against every other
team once. How many games will be played in the first
round?
Teaching about…..
Example: Find the sum of all the whole numbers from 1
to 200 (inclusive).
Teaching about…..
Example: A college student sent a postcard to her
parents with the message
SEND
+ MORE
---------------
MONEY
If each letter represents a digit (0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9),
with different letter representing different digit and the
same letter representing the same digit each time it
occurs, how much “money” is being requested?
2. When they heard about the news of the hurricane, Maya and Julian
decided to change their vacation plans. Instead of traveling to the Island
beach resort, they booked a room at a fancy new spa in the mountains. Their
plans were a bit more expensive, but they’d heard wonderful things about the
spa and they were relieved to find availability of such short notice.
A. Maya and Julian take beach
vacations every year.
B. The spa is overpriced.
C. It is usually necessary to book at
least 6 months in advance at the 0% 0% 0% 0%
spa.
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D. Maya and Julian decided to
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change their vacation plans
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because of the hurricane.
Egay’s household helpers Rita, Sally, Terry, Maria and Banie each does one
housekeeping task mopping, sweeping, laundry, vacuuming or dusting one
day a week, Monday through Friday.
*Banie does not vacuum and does not do her task on Tuesday
*Sally does the dusting, and does not do it on Monday or Friday
*The mopping is done on Thurs
*Terry does her task, which is not vacuuming, on Wednesday
*The laundry is done onFriday and not by Maria
*Rita does her her task on Monday
What task does Terry do on Wednesday?
20% 20% 20% 20% 20%
A. Vacuuming
B. Dusting
C. Mopping
D. Sweeping g
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V
Egay’s household helpers Rita, Sally, Terry, Maria and Banie each does one
housekeeping task mopping, sweeping, laundry, vacuuming or dusting one
day a week, Monday through Friday.
*Banie does not vacuum and does not do her task on Tuesday
*Sally does the dusting, and does not do it on Monday or Friday
*The mopping is done on Thurs
*Terry does her task, which is not vacuuming, on Wednesday
*The laundry is done onFriday and not by Maria
*Rita does her her task on Monday
What day does Maria do her task?
20% 20% 20% 20% 20%
A. Monday
B. Tuesday
C. Wednesday
D. Thursday y
ay
ay
y
da
da
da
sd
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Fr
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Tu
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Th
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E. Friday W
Egay’s household helpers, Rita, Sally, Terry, Maria and Banie each does one
housekeeping task, mopping, sweeping, laundry, vacuuming or dusting one
day a week, Monday through Friday.
*Banie does not vacuum and does not do her task on Tuesday
*Sally does the dusting, and does not do it on Monday or Friday
*The mopping is done on Thurs
*Terry does her task, which is not vacuuming, on Wednesday
*The laundry is done onFriday and not by Maria
*Rita does her her task on Monday
What task does Banie do?
A. Vacuuming
B. Dusting
C. Mopping
D. Sweeping g
0% 0% 0% 0% 0%
y
g
ng
ng
dr
in
in
pi
pi
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m
un
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La
D
E. Laundry
Sw
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V
Count the triangles and squares
in the figure
A. 36 triangles, 7 squares
B. 38 triangles, 9 squares 0% 0% 0% 0%
C. 40 triangles, 7 squares
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gle
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9
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D. 42 triangles, 9 triangles
36
38
40
42
Teaching through…..
This approach of teaching problem solving promotes
self-motivated inquiry and investigations. It is generally
deductive in nature, where generalizations are made as
a result of investigations.
Teaching through…..
Example: How many triangles do you see in the
figure?
Answer: 28
Teaching through…..
Example: How many triangles do you see in the
figure?
Answer: 17
