Republic of the Philippines

State Universities and Colleges

GUIMARAS STATE UNIVERSITY
Salvadors Campus
Mclain, Buenavista, Guimaras

MATH 223N
PROBLEM SOLVING IN MATHEMATICS

Enriqueta N. Siva, Ph. D.

Professor
1
 Prayer Before Class
Almighty and Loving Father,
Creator of Heaven and Earth,
We praise and adore you,
you are the King of Kings.
We humbly ask your
forgiveness for our sins,
Have mercy on us oh Lord.
 We are gathered here today
for our class,
Send us your Holy Spirit to be
our guide and give us the
wisdom to understand every
topic that we are going to
discuss. Enlighten our minds
and let your love be upon us.
 All this we pray through our
Lord Jesus Christ, your son
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit
one God for ever. Amen.
 MATH 223N
Problem Solving Polya’s
in
Mathematics
Problem
Solving
Discussant:
Jenifer Obatay Dana
Fernalyn Carumba Gare
Today’s Presentation…
• Discuss about Polya’s
Process in Problem-Solving;
• State the different Problem
Solving Strategies;
• Apply Polya’s Method in
solving mathematical
problem. MATH 223N
Polya: “The Father of Problem
Solving”
 George Pólya was a Hungarian
mathematician.
He made fundamental contributions to
combinatorics, number theory, numerical
analysis and probability theory.
He is also noted for his work
in heuristics and
mathematics education.
Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques

In 1945 George Polya

published the book It sold over one
How To Solve It which million copies
quickly became his and has been
most prized translated into 17
publication.
languages.

In this book he identifies four basic

principles of problem solving.
FOUR BASIC PRINCIPLES

Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques

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1. UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

 Survey, Question, Read (SQR)

 Frayer Vocabulary Method
 Mnemonic Devices
 Paraphrase
 Visualize
 Cooperate Learning Groups
 Analyze Information
Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques
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1. UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

Do you understand
all the words used
in stating the
problem?
Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques
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1. UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

What are you

asked to find or
show?
Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques
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1. UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

Can you restate

the problem in
your own words?
Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques
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1. UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

Can you think of a

picture or diagram that
might help you
understand the
problem?
Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques
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1. UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

Is there enough
information to
enable you to find a
solution?
Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques
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2. DEVISE/COME UP WITH A PLAN
 Hypothesizing
 Estimating
 Discussing/Sharing Strategies
 Guess and Check
 Make an Organized List
 Look for a Pattern
 Eliminate Possibilities
 Use Logical Reasoning
 Draw a Picture
 Use a Formula
 Work Backward Explaining the Plan
Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques
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2. DEVISE/COME UP WITH A PLAN

There are many

reasonable ways
to solve
problems.
Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques
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2. DEVISE/COME UP WITH A PLAN

The skill lies in

choosing an
appropriate
strategy.
Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques
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2. DEVISE/COME UP WITH A PLAN

This best learned by solving

many problems. You will find
choosing a strategy
increasingly easy.
(You are going to create a list of strategies
in this session).

Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques

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3. CARRY OUT THE PLAN/SOLVE THE PROBLEM

 Experiment with Different

Solution Plans
 Allow for “Mistakes/Errors”
 Work Collaboratively
 Implement your own solution
plan
 Check your Answer(s)/Solution(s)
Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques
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4. LOOK BACK/CHECK THE SOLUTION

Much can be gained by

taking the time to reflect
and look back at what
you have done, what
worked, and what didn't.
Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques
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4. LOOK BACK/CHECK THE SOLUTION

Doing this will enable you

to predict what strategy
to use to solve future
problems.

Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques

23
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
 Can your check the results and arguments?
 Does the answer make sense? If not,
recheck the method and the calculations.
 Did you answer all parts of the question?
 What methods worked? What methods
failed?
 Was there another way to solve the
problem?
 Can you use this for another problem?

Polya’s Problem Solving Techniques

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25
 Problem Solving Strategies
• Guess and check • Use a model
• Look for a pattern • Consider special
• Make an orderly list cases
• Draw a picture • Work backwards
• Eliminate • Use direct
possibilities reasoning
• Solve a simpler • Use a formula
problem • Solve an equation
• Use symmetry • Be ingenious
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APPLICATION
Example 1: Twice the difference of a
number and 1 is 4 more than that number.
Find the number.

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Example 1: Twice the difference of a
number and 1 is 4 more than that number.
Find the number.
1: Understand the Find the number.
Problem

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Example 1: Twice the difference of a
number and 1 is 4 more than that number.
Find the number.
1: Understand the Find the number.
Problem
2: Devise a plan Let x = a number
2(x – 1) = x + 4

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Example 1: Twice the difference of a
number and 1 is 4 more than that number.
Find the number.
1: Understand the Find the number.
Problem
2: Devise a plan Let x = a number
2(x – 1) = x + 4
3: Carry out the plan 2x – 2 = x + 4
2x – x = 4 + 2
x=6
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Example 1: Twice the difference of a
number and 1 is 4 more than that number.
Find the number.
1: Understand the Find the number.
Problem
2: Devise a plan Let x = a number
2(x – 1) = x + 4
3: Carry out the plan 2x – 2 = x + 4
2x – x = 4 + 2
x=6
4: Look Back The number is 6. 32
Example 2: A farmer is moving
chickens and cows into his
new farm. He counts 20 heads and 58
feet. How many chickens and cows are
in the farm?

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Example 2: A farmer is moving
chickens and cows into his
new farm. He counts 20 heads and 58
feet. How many chickens and cows are
in the farm?
Given: Total of
1: Understand 20 heads and 58 feet
the Problem Unknown: Number of
Chickens and Cows

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Example 2: A farmer is moving
chickens and cows into his
new farm. He counts 20 heads and 58
feet. How many chickens and cows are
in the farm?
Given: Total of
1: Understand 20 heads and 58 feet
the Problem Unknown: Number of
Chickens and Cows
2: Devise a Let x = no. of chickens
plan Let y = no. of cows 35
 x + y = 20 y = 20-x
2: Devise a plan
2x + 4y = 58

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 x + y = 20 y = 20-x
2: Devise a plan
2x + 4y = 58
2x + 4 (20 – x) = 58
2x + 80 – 4x = 58
-2x = 58 – 80
3: Carry out the -2x = -22
plan x = 11
y = 20 – 11 = 9
There are 11 chickens
and 9 cows in the farm.

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 x + y = 20 y = 20-x
2: Devise a plan
2x + 4y = 58
2x + 4 (20 – x) = 58
2x + 80 – 4x = 58
-2x = 58 – 80
3: Carry out the -2x = -22
plan x = 11
y = 20 – 11 = 9
There are 11 chickens
and 9 cows in the farm.
11+9 = 20 heads
4: Look Back
11(2) + 9(4) = 58 feet
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