Introduction to Mathematics problem solving strategies:
A mathematical problem becomes easy to solve when we know the solving strategies. Certain procedures are used to attain the solution of the problem. The way of solving the problem is very important in order to get exact solutions. Order of operations, basic arithmetic operations, formulas etc., are most important basic requirements to solve the problems.
Mathematics Problem Solving Strategies:
Mathematics problem 1:
David has written a number pattern that begins with 1, 3, 7, 13, 21. If he continues this pattern, what are the next two numbers in his pattern?
Strategy 1: UNDERSTAND
what do you need to find?
You need to find 2 numbers after 21.
Strategy 2: PLAN
How can you solve the problem?
You can find a pattern. Look at the numbers. The new number depends upon the number before it.
Strategy 3: SOLVE
Look at the numbers in the pattern.
3 = 1 + 2 (starting number is 1, add 2 to make 3)
7 = 3 + 4 (starting number is 3, add 4 to make 7)
13 = 7 + 6 (starting number is 7, add 6 to make 13)
21 = 13 + 8 (starting number is 13, add 8 to make 21)
New numbers will be
21 + 10 = 31
31 + 12 = 43
The next two numbers are 31, 43.
Mathematics problem 2:
You save $4 on Sunday. Each day after that you save twice as much as you saved the day before. If this pattern continues, how much would you save on Thursday?
Strategy 1: UNDERSTAND
you need to know that he save $4 on Sunday. Then you need to know that you always save twice as much as you find the day before.
Strategy 2: PLAN
How can you solve the problem?
You can make a table like the one below. List the amount of money you save each day. Remember to double the number each day.
So, You saved $64 on Thursday.
Practice Problem:
Mathematics practice problem:
Sanjay has written a number pattern that begins with 1, 3, 5, 7, If he continues this pattern, what are the next four numbers in his pattern?
Answer: 9, 11, 13, 15
A mathematical problem becomes easy to solve when we know the solving strategies. Certain procedures are used to attain the solution of the problem. The way of solving the problem is very important in order to get exact solutions. Order of operations, basic arithmetic operations, formulas etc., are most important basic requirements to solve the problems.
Mathematics Problem Solving Strategies:
Mathematics problem 1:
David has written a number pattern that begins with 1, 3, 7, 13, 21. If he continues this pattern, what are the next two numbers in his pattern?
Strategy 1: UNDERSTAND
what do you need to find?
You need to find 2 numbers after 21.
Strategy 2: PLAN
How can you solve the problem?
You can find a pattern. Look at the numbers. The new number depends upon the number before it.
Strategy 3: SOLVE
Look at the numbers in the pattern.
3 = 1 + 2 (starting number is 1, add 2 to make 3)
7 = 3 + 4 (starting number is 3, add 4 to make 7)
13 = 7 + 6 (starting number is 7, add 6 to make 13)
21 = 13 + 8 (starting number is 13, add 8 to make 21)
New numbers will be
21 + 10 = 31
31 + 12 = 43
The next two numbers are 31, 43.
Mathematics problem 2:
You save $4 on Sunday. Each day after that you save twice as much as you saved the day before. If this pattern continues, how much would you save on Thursday?
Strategy 1: UNDERSTAND
you need to know that he save $4 on Sunday. Then you need to know that you always save twice as much as you find the day before.
Strategy 2: PLAN
How can you solve the problem?
You can make a table like the one below. List the amount of money you save each day. Remember to double the number each day.
So, You saved $64 on Thursday.
Practice Problem:
Mathematics practice problem:
Sanjay has written a number pattern that begins with 1, 3, 5, 7, If he continues this pattern, what are the next four numbers in his pattern?
Answer: 9, 11, 13, 15
