PROBLEM SOLVING

What is a problem?
 It is an obstacle that prevents one from
setting a clear path to the answer.
 
What is a problem solving?
 It is a process of solving problems with the
use of different strategies/formulas.
Methods/Strategies in solving
• Listing method
• Elimination
• Making a table method
• With formula
• Pattern
 Polya’s approach by George Polya
• Four steps
1.Understand the problem
 This requires reading the problem slowly and
recognizing the information given in the problem.
2.Devise a plan
 It is a way to come up with a way to solve the
problem.
 3. Carry out the plan
 This step is where the identified plan is
applied to solve the problem.
4. Look back
 Verification and checking of answers and
where mistakes can be identified.
Sometimes we do not follow these steps, we go through the
solution as long as the problem is understood. In some ways,
there are possible mistakes to be encountered especially if the
devised plan is not the right strategy to a certain problem.
Example #1.
In a basketball game, the UCV team won two out of four
games against the Aldersgate College. In how many
ways did the UCV team has two wins and two losses?
Using the Polya’s Approach
Step 1: Understand the problem
The problem is talking about how many ways did UCV
has two wins and two losses.
Step 2: Devise a Plan
Since the problem is talking about how many ways of
winning and losing, then we can have the listing method.
Step 3: Carry Out the Plan
Solution:
Listing Method
WWLL LLWW
WLWL LWLW
WLLW LWWL Therefore, there are 6 ways
Step 4: Look Back
Check whether there will still be ways to list down
the solution.
Example #2:
Grandpa Lino is planning to fix hisrectangle
field which measures 17m and 13m
respectively. Find the perimeter and the area
of the rectangle field
 
Step 1: Understand the problem
The problem is finding the area and the
perimeter of the rectangle field
Step 2: Devise a Plan
Since the problem is talking about
perimeter and area, therefore we
should remember the formula for the
perimeter and area of the rectangle.
 
P = 2L + 2W A= LxW
Step 3: Carry Out the Plan
Solution:
Formula:
P = 2L + 2W A=LxW
Solution: Solution:
P = 2L + 2W A=LxW
P = 2(17) + 2(13) A = 17 x 13
P = 34 + 26 A = 221 m²
P = 60m. the area should always in square label.
Step 4: Look Back
Check if they are equal in both sides
of the equation.
Example #3:
Jasmine is twice as old as Charlie. The sum of their ages
is 33. How old are they?
(Let’s direct to the solution)
Solution:
Let x – Charlie’s age
2x –Jasmine’s age
x + 2x = 33 2x
3x = 33 2(11)
x = 11 22
Charlie’s age Jasmine’s age
Let’s check
They said that the sum of their ages is
33, if the sum is correct then the
solution is correct, but if it is not, then
the solution is wrong.
So, 11 + 22 = 33, therefore it is correct,
Jasmine is 11 years old and Charlie is
22 years old.
Example #4:
Yasir is 16 years older than Mujtaba. Six years ago,
Yasir was three times as old as Mujtaba. What will
be Yasir’s present age?
Solution:
Age now Age four years ago For solution

Yasir x + 16 x + 16 – 6 x + 10
Mujtaba x x–6 x–6
x + 10 = x – 6 Yasir’s age:
x + 10 = 3(x – 6) x + 16
x + 10 = 3x – 18 14 + 16
x – 3x = -18 – 10 30
-2x = -28
x = 14
The second name will always be the basis for
unknown, it will always be the “x”. For phrases/words
like ago, in the past, back, etc, use subtraction as the
operation, for phrases/words like in the future, later, in
4 years, etc., use addition as the operation and for
words/phrases like
 
Now let’s check if the solution is correct!
It is said that Yasir is 16 years older than Mujtaba, then,
just subtract the age of Yasir to Mujtaba’s age:
30 – 14 = 16
Example #5:
There were 60 people in a park. Some of
them are using bikes and some of them are
using cars. When they counted the wheels,
the total is 150. How many cars and bikes
are there in the park?
Solution:
Let c - # of cars 2b (for there are only 2 wheels in a bike)
b - # of bikes 4c (for there are 4 wheels in a car)
 
b + c = 60 multiply the equation by -2 or -4 (it depends on what
2b + 4c = 150 letter would you like to eliminate)
(b + c = 60)-2 -2b – 2c = -120 b + c = 60
2b + 4c = 150 copy 2b + 4c = 150 b + 15 = 60
2c = 30 b = 45 bikes
c = 15 cars