Problem Solving

What is Problem Solving???? Well you could find several definitions of problem solving, but we only have to concentrate in the fact that problem solving is basically breaking down a word problem into parts that will help us set a plan.

Here’s the model that we will use Explore: 1.First: We need to find out what is it exactly that they are asking us to find out. 2.Second: Check if we have all the information that we need 3.Third: Sometimes they give you too much information, check that maybe that could be the case in that specific problem. Plan: 1. Think of which strategy will work best to solve the problem. 2. Sometimes the answer can be found by estimating instead of working the whole problem. Check if that could be the case. 3. Make an educated guess or CONJECTURE. An educated guess is when you look at the answer choices and decide which answers are the possible correct ones. Based on that then you will guess which answer is the most appropriate

Solve: Here is when you try out the strategy you thought it would work. If that does not work then you will have to use another strategy to find your answer. Check: 1.Look at your answer and verify that it makes sense with the whole problem. 2. If the answer is not reasonable then make a new plan and start again. 3. Compare your answer to your estimation.

Strategies A strategy is a method that is used to solve word problems Some of the strategies that you can use are the following: Find a Pattern Write a Number Sentence Use Logical ReasoningEliminate Possibilities Use AlgebraMake a List Plugging In NumbersDraw a Picture Solve a simpler problem Guess and Check Act it out Work Backwards Make a Table

“Translations” from English to Math: English –Sum, total, more than –Difference, less than –Per, quotient, a –Is, are Math –+ (addition) –- (subtraction) –÷ (division) –= (equal sign)