Step 1: Understand the Problem Step 2: Devise a Plan
Read Find connection between the data and
Reread the unknown. Draw a picture Ask yourself… Ask yourself… • Do you understand all the words • Have you seen it before? used in stating the problem? • Do you know a related problem? • What are you asked to find or • Can you restate the problem in a show? different way? • What do you know? • Can you solve a more general • What do you need to know? problem? • Can you restate the problem in • Did you use all the data? your own words? • What is the unknown? Choose a Strategy… • What are the data? • Guess and check • Can you think of a picture or • Look for a pattern diagram that might help you • Make an orderly list understand the problem? • Draw a picture • Is there enough information to • Eliminate possibilities enable you to find a solution? • Solve a simpler problem • Use symmetry • Use a model • Consider special cases • Work backwards • Use direct reasoning • Use a formula • Solve an equation • Be ingenious • Create an equation • Create a Diagram or Table
Step 3: Carry Out the Plan Step 4: Look Back
Use care and patience. Examine the solution you obtained.
Persist with a plan. Check your work. Check each step. Does your answer make sense? Try different plans. Can you do another method? Keep trying. What worked? What didn’t work? How can I use this strategy in the future?