MODULE 3

Problem Solving and

Reasoning
Prepared by:

Maiko H. Anicoy
Math 111 Instructor
 Module
At the end of this module, challenge yourself to:
• compare and contrast inductive and deductive reasoning;

O bj e c t i v e s
• use different types of reasoning to justify statements and mathematics and
mathematical concepts;
• apply the Polya's four-step in problem solving to justify statements and
arguments made about mathematics and mathematical concepts; and
• organize one's methods and procedures for proving and solving problems.
 Lessons in this Module

Lesso Lesso Lesso

n1 n2
Inductive and
Deductive
n3 Polya’s Four-
Step Problem
Recreational
Problem Using
Solving
Reasoning Mathematics
 Lesson 1
Inductive and
Deductive
Reasoning
Inductive reasonin
g
INDUCTIVE REASONING is drawing a general conclusion from a repeated observation or
limited sets of observations of specific examples. Basically, there is a given data, then we draw
conclusion based from the frame these data or simply from specific case to general case. The
conclusion drawn by using inductive reasoning is called conjecture. The conjecture may be true
or false depending on the truthfulness of the argument. A statement is a true statement provided
that it is true in all cases and it only takes one example to prove the conjecture is false, such
example is called a counterexample.
 Inductive reasonin
g
Example 1: 1 is an odd number.
11 is an odd number.
21 is an odd number.
Therefore, all number ending with 1 are odd numbers.

Example 2: Use Inductive Reasoning to Predict a Number

a) 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, __

Solution: Each successive number is 3 larger than the preceding number. Thus, we predict
that the next number in the list is 3 larger 15, which is 18.
Deductive reasonin
g
DEDUCTIVE REASONING is drawing general to specific
examples or simply from general case to specific case. Deductive
starts with a general statement (or hypothesis) and examines to
reach a specific conclusion.
 Deductive reasonin
g
Example 1: All birds have feathers.
Ducks are birds.
Therefore, ducks have feathers.

Example 2: All positive counting numbers whose unit digit is

divisible by two are even numbers.
A positive counting number 1,236 has a unit digit of 6
which is divisible by two.
Therefore, 1,236 is an even number.
Inductive vs Deductive
reason
Deductive
ing
GENERAL SPECIFIC

Inductive
 Exercise
DIRECTION: In this activity, your task is to identify if a statement is an example of
Deductive or Inductive Reasoning. Write your answers of the space before the number.
1. All cookies are made with sugar. Oreos are cookie so Rosa knows. Oreos are
made with sugar.
2. It snows when temperature is below 32°F. The temperature is 35°F.
Therefore, it is not snowing.
3. 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13……
4. All science teachers are bald.
Mark is a science teacher.
Therefore, Mark is bald.
5. Essay test is difficult.
Problem1 solving test is difficult.
Therefore, all tests are difficult.
 Lesson 2
Polya’s Four-
Step Problem
Solving
Polya’s Four-Step Problem
solving
One of the foremost recent mathematicians to make a study of
problem solving was George Polya (1887-1985). He was a
mathematic educator who strongly believed that the skill of
problem solving can be taught. He developed a framework known
as Polya’s Four-steps in problem solving that addressed the
difficulty of students in solving a problem. He firmly believed that
the most efficient way of learning mathematical concepts is Keep it up.
through problem solving and students and teachers become a You are doing great.
better problem solver.
Polya’s Four-Step Problem
solving
The Polya’s four step in problem solving are:

1. Understand the problem.

2. Devise a plan.
3. Carry out a plan.
4. Look back.
Polya’s Four-Step Problem
solving
UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

This requires reading. The problem slowly

1. What sort of a problem is it?
and recognizing the information given in
2. What is being asked?
the problem. This is achieved when all the
3. What do the terms mean?
words used in stating the problem is fully
4. Is there enough information or is more
understood, it can be restated in one own’s
information needed?
word.
5. What is known or unknown?
Polya’s Four-Step Problem
solving
DEVISE A PLAN

To devise a plan is to come up with a way

1. Draw a picture/diagram/model
to solve the problem. There are many
2. Make an organized list or table
different types of plans for solving 3. Look for patterns
problems. You must start somewhere so try 4. Work backwards
something. 5. Act it out
6. Guess and Check
7. Use Logical Reasoning
Polya’s Four-Step Problem
solving
CARRY OUT THE PLAN

This step is where the identified plan 1. Be patient.

is applied to solve the problem. If plan 2. Work carefully.

3. Modify the plan or try a new plan.
does not work, it can be modified or 4. Keep trying until something works.
5. Implement the strategy and strategies in Step 2.
changed. Common sense and natural
6. Try another strategy if the first one isn't working.
thinking abilities can help in this step. 7. Keep a complete and accurate record of your work.
8. Be determined and don't get discouraged if the plan does not work
immediately.
Polya’s Four-Step Problem
solving
LOOK BACK

This step is where answers can be verified and

1. Look for an easier solution.
checked and where mistakes can be identified. 2. Does the answer make sense?

Answers should be checked if it is plausible.
Looking back is an opportunity to make
connections. This is a time to review what you
have done, what worked and what didn’t.
3. Check the results in the original problem.
4. Interpret the solution with the facts of the problem.
5. Recheck any computations involved in the solution.
6. Can the solution be extended to a more general case?
7. Ensure that all the conditions related to the problem are met.
8. Determine whether there is another method of finding the solution. Ensure
the consistency of the solution in the context of the problem.
Polya’s Four-Step Problem
solving
Example

Mr. Jones has a total of 25 chickens and cows on

his farm. How many of each does he have if all
together there are 76 feet?
Polya’s Four-Step Problem
solving
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

We are given in the problem that there are 25

chickens and cows. All together there are 76 feet.
Chickens have 2 feet and cows have 4 feet. We
are trying to determine how many cows and how
many chickens Mr. Jones has on his farm.
Polya’s Four-Step Problem
solving
STEP 2: DEVISE A PLAN

We will going to use Guess and Check

along with making a tab many times the strategy
below is used with guess and test. Make a table
and look for a pattern.
Polya’s Four-Step Problem
solving
STEP 3: CARRY OUT THE PLAN

NO. OF CHICKEN TOTAL NO.

CHICKENS COWS NO. COW FEET
FEET OF FEET

20 5 40 20 60
21 4 42 16 58

Notice we are going in the wrong direction! The total number of feet is decreasing!

NO. OF CHICKEN TOTAL NO.

CHICKENS COWS NO. COW FEET
FEET OF FEET

19 6 38 24 62
15 10 30 40 70

Better! The total number of feet are increasing!

Polya’s Four-Step Problem
solving
STEP 3: CARRY OUT THE PLAN

NO. OF CHICKEN TOTAL NO.

CHICKENS COWS NO. COW FEET
FEET OF FEET

12 13 24 52 76

STEP 4: LOOKING BACK

Check: 12 + 13 = 25 heads
24 + 52 = 76 feet.
We have found the solution to this problem. We could use this strategy when there are a
limited number of possible answers and when two items are the same but they have one
characteristic that is different.
 Lesson 3
Recreational
Problem Using
Mathematics
Recreational Problem:
The Magic

Square
One of ancient “square” mathematical recreations of all
is the magic square. A Chinese myth, on the time of
emperor Yu, came across a sacred turtle with strange
marking on its shell known as Lo Shu. The Markings
are numbers and they form a square pattern of order 3.
Recreational Problem:
The Magic

Square4
Magic square of order n is an arrangement of numbers in 9 2
squares such that the sum on the n numbers in each row,
column, and diagonal is the same number. The magic square
in the figure below (left) has order 3, and the sum of the
3 5 7
numbers in each row, column, and diagonal is 15.
8 1 6
Recreational Problem:
The Magic
EXERCISE

Complete each magic square. Use any Square

MAGIC SUM = 18

whole numbers 1–15. Each number can

be used no more than two times in each
magic square.
6 8
7
Recreational Problem:
Palindrome
Another fascinating topic is the palindrome. A Palindromes of squares are as follows:
palindrome is a number (or word, or phrase) 1.
sequence of characters (or symbols) which reads the 2.
same backward as forward, for example 131, 3.
12,321, 1,234,321, etc. Palindrome maybe in form 4.
of palindromic number, palindromic triangle, and 5.
palindromic primes.
 MODULE ASSESSMENT

Access the link below to answer the module assessment. You only
have 1 hour to answer it. After, go back to the meeting room for
our next module. Good luck!

https://forms.gle/d595zfFw1ydqHjrL8
 MODULE 3

Problem Solving and

Reasoning
Prepared by:

Maiko H. Anicoy
Math 111 Instructor