Strategies for Problem Solving Math 7 and 8 Ms. Stewart

Problem Solving: A Four Step Process Step 1: Read the Problem 3 Times  On the first read, get a general sense of what the problem is about  On the second, figure out what information is given and what you need to find  On the third reading, underline/highlight the information you will need to solve the problem

Problem Solving: A Four Step Process Step 2: Select a strategy or several strategies for solving the problem  Think about other problems you have solved. Is this problem like one of them? Can you use a similar strategy?  Plan how to use the strategy and what tools you will need like a ruler, calculator, graph paper, number line, etc.

Problem Solving: A Four Step Process Step 2: Select a strategy or several strategies for solving the problem Possible strategies to choose from: Make a model or diagram Act it out Work backward Look for a pattern Make an assumption Trial/Error Choose an appropriate formula Make an organized list, table or chart Set up an equation and solve Solve a simpler problem to shed light on a more difficult one Find hidden or missing information

Problem Solving: A Four Step Process Step 3: Solve the problem by carrying out your plan  Use mental math to estimate a possible answer  Do the calculations  Record each step you are doing  Explain and justify your thinking

Problem Solving: A Four Step Process Step 4: Check your answer. Does it make sense?  Is your answer close to your estimate?  Does your answer fit the facts given in the problem?  Is the answer reasonable? If not, make a new plan. Try a different strategy.  Consider solving the problem a different way. Do you get the same answer?  Compare your method with other students

Grade 7 Word Problems

What strategies could solve these problems? Problem 1: Honi has 100 m of fencing. She uses it to fence off a rectangular field for her horse to graze in. The length of the field is 30 m. How wide is the field? Problem 2: Rani is paid $7 per hour to baby-sit the neighbour's two children. Rani is saving for a new bike. How many hours does he need to baby-sit to earn enough money for the bike? Problem 3: The corner store has five flavours of ice cream: orange fizz, strawberry, bubble gum, chocolate and rocky road. How many different two- scoop cones are possible? Problem 4: Marja would like to go glow in the dark bowling for her birthday. The alley charges $10 for one lane plus $6 per person. This includes bowling shoe rentals. Marja’s mother can afford $40. How many friends can Marja invite?

Grade 8 Word Problems

What strategies could solve these problems? Problem 1: Dina’s family owns and operates a small restaurant. They have many small square tables and folding chairs. What is the greatest number of people that can be seated when 10 tables are put together? Problem 2: A road crew is repainting the solid yellow line down the center of the road from Halifax to Truro. 1L of the paint covers 4m 2. How many litres of paint does the crew need? Problem 3: Raj and his friend Matt live in a neighborhood where the streets form a regular grid pattern. How many different routes are there from Raj’s house to Matt’s? Assume that Raj does not retrace his steps and always takes the shortest route. Problem 4: Amy’s mother bought a basket of strawberries. Ben came and ate half of them. Steve came home next and ate half of the remaining berries. Dora returned and ate half the number that remained. Amy came home last. She ate half of the remaining strawberries and left two whole strawberries for her Mom. How many berries were originally in the basket?