3.

PROBLEM SOLVING
AND REASONING
3.1 Inductive Reasoning
3.2 Deductive Reasoning
3.3 Problem solving with patterns
3.4 Polya's problem Solving Strategy
LEARNING OUTCOME:
At the end of the online class the students will be
able to:
1. Apply Inductive and deductive reasoning to solve problems in real
life situation.
2. Solve problems involving patterns and recreational problems
following polya’s strategy
3. Organize one’s methods and approaches for proving and solving
problems.
3.1 INDUCTIVE REASONING
Inductive Reasoning- The type of reasoning that uses
specific examples to reach a general conclusion of
something.
The conclusion formed by using inductive reasoning is
called a conjecture.
A conjecture is an Idea that may or may not be correct.
Example 1: Use Inductive reasoning to predict the next
number in each of the following lists.

a. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ?

b. 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, ?
Solution:
•a. 
A. Each successive number is 5 units larger that the
preceding number. Thus, it can be predicted that the
next number in the list is 5 units larger than 25,
which is 30.
b. Observe that all the numbers are perfect squares. It
predicted that the next number to be 36 =
Example 2: Use inductive reasoning to make a conjecture out of the following process

Consider the following procedure:

1. Pick a number.
2. Multiply the number by 10.
3. Add 8 to the product
4. Divide the sum by 2
5. And subtract 4.
Repeat the procedure for several different numbers. Make a
conjecture between the relationship of the size of the resulting number
and the size of the original number using inductive reasoning.
Solution:
Suppose we pick 3 as our original number,
Original number: 3
Multiply 3 by 10= 30
Add 8 to the product: 8 +30 = 38
Divide the sum by 2: 38/2 = 19
Subtract the quotient by 4: 19 - 4= 15
Explanation:
We started with 3 and the procedure produces 15,
starting with 4 as our original number and the
procedure produces 20. Starting with 4 as our original
number and the procedure produces 50. Starting with
50 as our original number and the procedure produces
150. In each of these cases the procedure produces a
number that is five times the original number. It is
conjectured that the given procedure produces number
that is five times the original number.
3.2DEDUCTIVE
REASONING
DEDUCTIVE REASONING

• Is a type of reasoning that uses general

procedures and principles to reach a conclusion.
• Is a process of reaching a general conclusion by
applying general assumption, procedures or
principles.
EXAMPLE:
• Use deductive reasoning to make a conjecture.
Consider the following procedure:
Pick a number. Multiply the number by 10, add 8
to the product, divide
the sum by 2, and subtract 4.
Solution:
•Let
  n represent the original number.
Multiply n by 10:10n
Add 8 to the product: 8+10n
Divide the sum by 2: = 4 +5n
Subtract the quotient by 4: 4+5n – 4 = 5n

We started with n and ended with 5n after following the given

procedure. This means that the given procedure produces a number
that is five times the original number.
3.3 PROBLEM SOLVING WITH
PATTERNS
Fibonacci Sequence
Fibonacci’s rabbit problem in Chapter 1 is not a
realistic model of population growth of rabbits but it is
a good example of a mathematical problem solved
using patterns. It is interesting to note also that this
famous rabbit problem paved the way to the discovery
of a phenomenal sequence of numbers known as the
Fibonacci Sequence.
•A  sequence is an ordered list of numbers. The numbers,
separated by commas, are called the terms of the
sequence.
The first six terms of the Fibonacci sequence are 1,1,2,
3,5, 8. If we use
the mathematician notation denote the nth term of
the Fibonacci sequence, then,
For the first month, n=1, =1, For the second
month, n=2, =1
•For
  the third month , n=3, =2. For the four month, n =4, =3
For the fifth months, n=5, . For the sixth month, n=6., .
The Fibonacci sequence then is the ordered list of numbers 1, 1,2, 3,
5, 8,…….……Where the three dots indicate that the sequence continues
beyond 8 and
How do we determine the nth term? Observe that,

=
=+
+
=
•From
  these patterns, we conjecture that for n ≥ 3.
Fibonacci discovered that a Fibonacci number can found by adding its
previous two Fibonacci numbers.

THE FIBONACCI NUMBERS

= 1, = 1, and = + for n ≥ 3
EXAMPLE:
•Finding
  a Fibonacci number.
Use the definition of Fibonacci numbers to find the eights and
tenths Fibonacci numbers.
Solution:
The eight Fibonacci number is the sum of the two previous
Fibonacci numbers. Thus,
+
=(
=(8+5)+8
= 13+8
= 21
 BINET FORMULA
•  Binet’s Formula
[
 EXAMPLE:
• Use Binet ‘s formula and a calculator to find the 20th and 50th
Fibonacci number.
Solution:

[
 

= 6765
PASCAL TRIANGLE

• One of the most interesting Number Patterns is Pascal's

Triangle (named after Blaise Pascal, a famous French
Mathematician and Philosopher).

• https://www.mathsisfun.com/pascals-triangle.html
To build the triangle, start with "1" at the top, then continue placing
numbers below it in a triangular pattern.

Each number is the numbers directly above it added together.

Symmetrical
• The triangle is also symmetrical. The numbers on the left side have
identical matching numbers on the right side, like a mirror image.
But what happens with 115 ? Simple! The digits just
overlap, like this:
RESOURCES
 MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD
Ethel Cecille Baltazar
Carmelita Rogasa
Justina Evangelista
 https://www.mathsisfun.com/pascals-triangle.html