STRATEGIES IN PROBLEM SOLVING

MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD

ENGR. FRANCIS III V. BELANDRES, SO2

INTRODUCTION
George Polya was a mathematician famous
for his lifelong interest in and study of the
process of problem solving. His name has
become synonymous with problem solving.

He defined intelligence as the ability to

solve problems and believed that "solving
problems is human nature itself.

To Polya, the major goal of education should

GEORGE POLYA be the development of problem solving
(1887-1985) skills.
WHAT IS A PROBLEM?
In his book, The Art and Craft of Problem Solving,
Paul Zeitz distinguished a problem from an exercise.
An exercise is a question that you know how to resolve
immediately by just applying specific techniques or
formulas which are previously taught. In contrast, a
problem demands much thought and resourcefulness
before the right approach is found.
EXAMPLES OF EXERCISES:
1. Find the area of a rectangle given l= 6 cm and w = 4
cm.

2. Add ¾ + ½.

3. Find the perimeter of a square with side 3 meters.

EXAMPLES OF EXERCISES:
1. Find the area of a rectangle given l= 6 cm and w = 4
cm.

2. Add ¾ + ½.

3. Find the perimeter of a square with side 3 meters.

ANALOGIES FOR EXERCISE
AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Exercise is like going to the gymnasium three times a week to do a lot of
repetitious activities or going for a routinary walk. It makes one stronger but
there is not so much excitement, challenge nor fun.

Problem solving is like going on a mountain climbing trip. You get tired,
hungry, lost, hurt, discouraged, but eventually arrive at a place of amazing
beauty and experience the ecstasy that compensates for all the efforts to
get there. When the mountain climber returns home, he is energized by the
adventure and cannot stop telling others about the wonderful experiences.
THE MOUNTAINEERING ANALOGY
Let us approach mathematical problems with these
mountaineering ideas. When confronted with a problem,
you cannot immediately solve it. You must go through some
steps before you can finally climb your mountain.

1. Investigate. Observe the target mountain from different

angles. (What are the given facts? What are required?)
2. Approach. Decide on your strategies.
3. Prepare your tools. (What operations will you use?)
4. Begin climbing. (Start solving. Make several attempts.
Do not give up easily.)
5. Continue the climb until you have reached your goal.
6. Check your map to see if you have truly arrived.
PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS AND STRATEGIES
The general problem solving process given by
George Polya are as follows:

1. Understand the problem.

What are Given? What are Required?

2. Adopt a plan. What strategy should you use?

3. Carry out the plan.
E
4. xamine your solution (reflection). Check your
answer.

Remember, you need GRACE to solve a problem.

PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS AND STRATEGIES
The general problem solving process given by
George Polya are as follows:

1. Understand the problem.

What are Given? What are Required?

2. Adopt a plan. What strategy should you use?

3. Carry out the plan.
E
4. xamine your solution (reflection). Check your
answer.

Remember, you need GRACE to solve a problem.

SOME PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGIES
The choice of a problem solving STRATEGY suggests the first step and helps
the problem solver to see the next step. Good problem solvers do not give up
if the first strategy does not work; they try a different strategy, a different first
step, and then they look for the second step.

1. Draw a Diagram/Picture 9. Use logical reasoning

2. Make a List 10. Make a model
3. Guess and Check 11. Simulate the problem
4. Look for a Pattern 12. Make an equation
5. Make a Table 13. Use a formula
6. Solve backwards 14. Use multiple strategies
7. Use a Variable 15. Use your imagination/ common sense
8. Solve a Simpler Problem 16. Use Manipulatives
TYPES OF PROBLEMS
1. Brain Teasers 9. Algebra
2. Recreational Problems 10. Geometry
3. Arithmetic/ Number Theory 11. Probability
4. Logic 12. Computer-based problems
5. Sets 13. Trigonometry
6. Statistics 14. Puzzles
7. Spatial Perception 15. Manipulatives
8. Abstract Reasoning Sample Problems 16. Others
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
1. Dividing the Land
A father of 4 children owns an L-shaped track of land consisting of
3 adjacent square lots. In his last will and testament, he has to divide the
land into 4 equal lots, all similar in shape, for his 4 children. Help this man
divide the land.
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
1. Dividing the Land
A father of 4 children owns an L-shaped track of land consisting of
3 adjacent square lots. In his last will and testament, he has to divide the
land into 4 equal lots, all similar in shape, for his 4 children. Help this man
divide the land.

STRATEGY: DRAW A FIGURE / TRIAL AND ERROR

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
2. Make two square cages inside the big cage to
provide each rooster their individual cages.

STRATEGY: DRAW A FIGURE / TRIAL AND ERROR

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
2. Make two square cages inside the big cage to
provide each roster their individual cages.

STRATEGY: DRAW A FIGURE / TRIAL AND ERROR

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
3. Four people need to cross a hanging bridge at night. The bridge is only strong enough to
hold at most 2 people at once. Because it is night time and it is very dark, a flashlight is
available for all crossings. However, the battery is weak and could only serve for 17 minutes.
It takes Person A 10 min. to cross, Person B 5 minutes, Person C 2 minutes, and Person D 1
minute to cross the bridge. If 2 persons cross at the same time, they must walk at the slower
man's pace. How do you get everyone across in 17 minutes?

STRATEGY: MAKE A TABLE

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
3. Four people need to cross a hanging bridge at night. The bridge is only strong enough to
hold at most 2 people at once. Because it is night time and it is very dark, a flashlight is
available for all crossings. However, the battery is weak and could only serve for 17 minutes.
It takes Person A 10 min. to cross, Person B 5 minutes, Person C 2 minutes, and Person D 1
minute to cross the bridge. If 2 persons cross at the same time, they must walk at the slower
man's pace. How do you get everyone across in 17 minutes?

STRATEGY: MAKE A TABLE

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
4. Divide the face of the clock into 3 parts with 2 line segments so that the
sum of the numbers in each part is equal.

STRATEGY: MAKE A TABLE

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
4. Divide the face of the clock into 3 parts with 2 line segments so that the
sum of the numbers in each part is equal.

STRATEGY: TRIAL AND ERROR

SAMPLE PROBLEMS
5. Flip the triangle in 3 moves such that the triangle will be inverted. :

STRATEGY: Use coins as manipulatives. Indicate the movement of the coins with
arrows.
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
5. Flip the triangle in 3 moves such that the triangle will be inverted. :

STRATEGY: Use coins as manipulatives. Indicate the movement of the coins with
arrows.