GE5: MATHEMATICS IN MODERN WORLD

PROBLEM SOLVING
Inductive Reasoning
• The type of reasoning that forms a conclusion based on
the examination of specific example is called inductive
reasoning.

• Conjecture - The conclusion formed by using inductive

reasoning. Since it may or not be correct.

When you examine a list of numbers and predict the next number in the list
according to some pattern you have observed, you are using inductive
reasoning.
 Inductive Reasoning
Example 1: Use inductive reasoning to predict a Number

Use inductive reasoning to predict the next number in each of

the following lists.
a.3, 6, 9, 12, 15 ?
b.1, 3, 6, 10, 15 ?
Inductive Reasoning
Solution:
a.Each successive number is 3 larger than the preceding
number. Thus we predict that the next number in the list is 3
larger than 15, which is 18.

b.The first two numbers differ by 2. The second and the

third numbers differ by 3. It appears that the difference
between any two numbers is always 1 more than the
preceding difference. Since 10 and 15 differ by 5, we
predict that the next number in the list will be 6 larger than
15, which is 21.
Inductive Reasoning

Example:Use Inductive reasoning to make a Conjecture

• Consider the following procedure: Pick a number. Multiply
the numbers by 8 add 6 to the product divide the sum by
2 and subtract 3.
• Complete the above procedure for several different
numbers. Use inductive reasoning to make a conjecture
about the relationship between the size of the resulting
number and the size of the original number.
Inductive Reasoning
Solution:
Suppose we pick 5 as our original number. Then the procedure would produce the following
results:

Original number: 5
Multiply by 8: 8 x 5 = 40
Add 6: 40 + 6 = 46
Divided by 2: 46 ÷ 2 = 23
Subtract 3: 23 – 3 = 20

We started with 5 a and followed the procedure to produce 20. Starting with 6 as our original
number produces a final result of 24. Starting with 10 produces a final result of 40. Starting with
100 produces a final result of 400. In each of these cases the resulting number is four times the
original number. We conjecture that following the given procedures a number that is four times
the original numbers.
Inductive Reasoning

Example 3: Use inductive reasoning to solve an

application
Use the data below table and inductive reasoning to answer
each of the following questions.
Length of pendulum in
units
Period of pendulum, in
heartbeats
a.If a pendulum has a length
1 1 of 49 units, what is its period?
4 2
9 3 b. If the length of a pendulum
16 4 is quadrupled, what happens
25 5 to its period?
36 6
Inductive Reasoning
Solution:
a.In the table, each pendulum has a period that is the square
root of its length. Thus we conjecture that a pendulum with a
length of 49 units will have a period of 7 heartbeats.

b.In the table, a pendulum with a length of 4 units has a

period that is twice that of a pendulum with a length of 1 unit.
A pendulum with a length of 16 units has a period that is twice
that of a pendulum with a length of 4 units. It appears that
quadrupling the length of a pendulum doubles its period.
Counterexamples
• A statement is true statement provided that it is true in all
cases. If you can find one case for which a statement is
not true, called a counterexample, then the statement is
a false statement.
Counterexamples

Example:Find counterexample
Verify that each of the following statement finding a
counterexample.

For all numbers x:

a. > 0
b.X2 > x
c. = x
Counterexamples
Solution:
A statement may have many counterexamples, but we need only find one
counterexamples to verify that the statement is false.

a.Let x = 0 then x = 0 because 0 is not greater than 0, we have found a

counterexample. Thus “for all numbers x, x > 0 “ is a false statement.

b.For x = 1 we have 12 = 1. Since 1 is not greater than 1, we have found

a counterexample. Thus “for all numbers x, x2 > x” is a false statement.

c.Consider x = -3 then = = 3 since 3 is not equal to -3, we have found a

counterexample. Thus “for all numbers x, = x” is a false statement.
Deductive Reasoning
• Deductive reasoning is distinguished from inductive
reasoning in that it is the process of reaching a conclusion
by applying general principles and procedures.
Deductive Reasoning

Example:Use deductive reasoning to establish a

conjecture
Use deductive reasoning to show that the following
procedure produces a number that is four times the original
number.

Procedure: pick a number, multiply the number by 8, add 6

to the product, divide the sum by 2 and subtract 3.
 Deductive Reasoning
Solution:
Let n represent the original number.

Multiply the number by 8: 8n

Add 6 to the product: 8n + 6
Divide the sum by 2: = 4n +3
Subtract 3: 4n + 3 – 3 = 4n

We started with n and ended with 4n. The procedure given in this
example produces a number that is four times the original number.
Inductive Reasoning vs. Deductive Reasoning
We analyse arguments is an example of induction reasoning or
deductive reasoning.

Example: Determine whether each of the following arguments is

an example of inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning.
a.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.

b.All home improvements cost more than the estimate. The

contractor estimated that my home improvement will cost 35,000.
Thus my home improvement will cost more than 35,000.
Inductive Reasoning vs. Deductive Reasoning

Solution:
a.This argument reaches a conclusion based on specific
examples, so it is an example of inductive reasoning.

b.Because the conclusion is a specific case of general

assumption, this argument is an example of deductive
reasoning.
Problem-Solving Strategies
Problem-Solving Strategies

A Hungarian mathematician
named George Polya did a lot of
research on the nature of
problem solving in the first half of
the 20th century.

 Identify a series of steps that were fundamental to

problem-solving strategies. “ How to solve it” published
in 1945.
POLYA’S FOUR-STEP PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCEDURE

Step 1: Understand the problem

The best way to start any problem is to write down
information that’s provided as you come to it.
• Another great idea: carefully identify and write down what
is they’re asking you to find.

Step 2: Devise a plan to solve the problem

• This is where problem solving is at least as much art as
science – there are many, many ways to solve problems.
POLYA’S FOUR-STEP PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCEDURE

Step 3: Carry out your plan to solve the problem

After you’ve made a plan, try it out. If it doesn’t work, try a
different strategy! There are many different ways to attack
problems. Be persistent!

Step 4 : Check your answer

It’s always a good idea to think about whether or not your
answer is reasonable. And in many cases you’ll be able to
use math to check your answer and see if it’s exactly
correct.
Problem-Solving Strategies

Example:
A gardener is asked to plan eight tomato plants that are 18
inches tall in a straight line with 2 feet between each plant.

a.How much space is needed between the first plan and the
last one?

b.Can you devise a formula to find the length needed for

ANY number of plants?
Problem-Solving Strategies
Solution:
a)Be careful – what seems like an obvious solution is not always correct! You
might be tempted to just multiply 8 by 2, but instead we’ll use Polya’s method.

Step 1: Understand the problem

In this case, the key information given is that there will be eight plants in a line,
with 2 feet between each. We’re asked to find the total distance from the first to
the last.

Step 2: Devise a plan to solve the problem

These sounds a lot like a situation where drawing a diagram would be a big
help, so we’ll start here.
Problem-Solving Strategies
Step 3: Carry out the plan to solve the problem
The diagram would like this:

2’ 2’ 2’ 2’ 2’ 2’ 2’

STEP 4: Check the answer

There are eight plants, but only seven spaces of 2 feet between them,
So 7 x 2 = 14 feet is right.

b. Our drawing was designed to solve a specific problem, but we can actually
use it for the more general case. It shows us that for eight plants, there were
seven 2-foot gaps in between. We can deduce that for n plants, there would be
n-1 gaps, so the total length would be 2(n-1) feet.
Problem-Solving Strategies

Example:
A campus group is setting up a rectangular area for a
tailgate bash. They have 100 feet between two roads to use
as width and 440 foot of fence to use. What length will use
up the total amount of fence and enclose the biggest
space?
Problem-Solving Strategies
Solution:
Step 1: Understand the problem
We’re asked to consider a rectangular area, so there will be four sides. We’re
told that the width is 100 feet and that the four sides and up to 440 feet. (That
is, the perimeter is 440 feet) We’re asked to find the length.

Step 2 : Devise a plan to solve the problem

This is another classic example of a problem where a diagram will be useful.
This should help us to figure out all the dimension.
Problem-Solving Strategies
Step 3: Carry out the plan to solve the problem
Our diagram looks like this:

100 ft 100 ft

(Since the area is rectangular, the opposite sides have the same length) of the
440 ft of fence, 200 feet is accounted for in our diagram. That leaves 440 – 200
= 240 feet to be divided among the remaining two sides. Each has length 120
feet.

Step 4: Check the answer

If there are two sides with width 100 feet and two others with length 120 feet,
the perimeter is 100 + 100 + 120 + 120 = 440 feet.
ACTIVITIES/EXERCISES
Work your own or individually to complete the following
questions/problems below:
Instruction: Write your answer on Long bond paper.

Problem 1:
a.When two odd numbers are added, will the result always
be an even number? Use inductive reasoning to determine
your answer.
b.How many pairs of numbers would you need to try in
order to be CERTAIN that your conjecture is true?
Problem 2:
Consider the following problem: Think of any number. Multiply that number by 2, then
add 6, and divide the result by 2. Next subtract the original number. What is the result?
a.Use inductive reasoning to make a conjecture for the answer
b.Use deductive reasoning to prove your conjecture

Problem 3:
Use inductive reasoning to arrive at general conclusion and then prove your
conclusion is true by using deductive reasoning.
Pick a number:
Add 50:
Multiply by 2:
Subtract the original number:
Result:
Problem 4:
In consecutive turns of a monopoly game, Stacy fist paid $800 for a hotel. She then
lost half her money when she landed on Boardwalk. Next, she collected $200 for
passing GO. She then lost half her remaining money when she landed on Illinois
Avenue. Stacy now has $2500. How much did she have just before she purchased the
hotel?

Problem 5:
The product of the ages, in years, of three teenagers is 4590. None of the teens are
the same age. What are the ages of the teenagers?