and

Reasoning
CRITICAL THINKING &
PROBLEM SOLVING
Learning mathematics is not just about
knowing, understanding, and applying
its concepts, principles and all the
associated mathematical procedures
and algorithms.
It’s about  acquiring the capacity to
solve problem,  to reason, and to
communicate.
It is about making these
capacities part of our thinking
habits.
 Problem Solving
It is a process of applying mathematics in
unfamiliar situation.
It allows individuals to know more about the
nature of mathematical activity, mathematical
process and mathematical thinking.
Why Problem solving?

promotes interest
develops common sense and the power
to discriminate
There are many paths to problem solving
skills, however

Mathematics is the
shortest.
We use math to teach problem
solving because
• it
is the most fundamental logical
discipline

•it is the clearest way to learn and

understand how to develop rigorous
logical arguments
• there are no loopholes, there are no
half truths because the language of
Mathematics is precise

• there is no room for subjectivity.

 PROBLEM

Understand the Problem

Make a plan

Using problem
solving strategies
Carry out the Plan

Evaluate Solutions

Pose a related Problem

Using problem
posing strategies

New Problem
Problem Solving Strategies

1. Draw / Make a Model

2. Make an Organized List
3. Make a Table and Look for a Pattern
4. Simulate a Problem
5. Solve a Simpler Problem
6. Try, Check, and Revise
7. Use Logical Reasoning
8. Work Backward
 Engineers and architects solve
problems as they design and construct
buildings and other structures that are
functional, aesthetically pleasing and
meet stringent safety requirements
( Aufmann, et al, 2018).
 Accountants solve problems as
they balance financial statements,
compute taxes and make critical
financial decisions.
Doctors, nurses and medical
practitioners solve problems as they
evaluate the conditions of their
patients, the quantity/ concentration/
amount of medicine to be given, the
duration of medication and the like.
 Logic problem
Ana, Bea, Carl and Domz are neighbors and have different
occupations ( banker, chef, teacher, doctor). From the following
clues, determine the occupation of each neighbor.

1. Bea gets home from work after the banker but before
the doctor.

2. Carl who is the last to get home from work, is not the teacher.

3. The doctor and Carl leave for work at the same time.

4. The banker lives next door to Domz.

 banker chef teacher doctor

Ana

Bea

Carl

Domz
At present, Sharmaine is 31 years
old while Diana is 13 years old.
After how many years will
Sharmaine be twice as old as
Diana?
The average of 10 numbers is 15.
If one number among these 10
numbers is removed, the average
of the remaining numbers is 14.
What number is removed?
How many four digit numbers
have the same digits as 2020?
An ice sculpture is melting at a
rate of half its weight every hour.
After 8 hours, it weighs 1.40
kilograms. How much did it weigh
in the beginning?
There are 20 animals at the farm.
Some are chickens and others are
goats. Seventy six legs are visible.
How many of each type of animal
can be seen?
Rang-ay ES is running a fund raising
concert. The first member of the audience
comes in on her own, then a group of four
friends come in together. Each time a
group arrives, there are three more than in
the previous group. How many people will
arrive in the tenth group?
Six families are building Kalinga
homes in a settlement area. Roads
will have to be built to connect
each house with all the other
houses. How many roads have to
be built?
How many animals of each
species did Adam take with
him on the ark?
One sixth of the trees in Lower Magat
Echo Turism Park (LMETP) died
after typhoon Rosita. There were 660
trees left. How many were there
originally?
 Remark:
Some problems lend themselves to a
particular strategy. However, most
problems are solvable using a variety
of strategies or a combination of
strategies.