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20 Effective Math Strategies To Approach Problem-Solving

Katie Keeton

Math strategies for problem-solving help students use a range of approaches to solve many different types of problems. It involves identifying the problem and carrying out a plan of action to find the answer to mathematical problems.

Problem-solving skills are essential to math in the general classroom and real-life. They require logical reasoning and critical thinking skills. Students must be equipped with strategies to help them find solutions to problems.

This article explores mathematical problem solving strategies, logical reasoning and critical thinking skills to help learners with solving math word problems independently in real-life situations.

What are problem-solving strategies?

Problem-solving strategies in math are methods students can use to figure out solutions to math problems. Some problem-solving strategies:

Draw a model
Use different approaches
Check the inverse to make sure the answer is correct

Students need to have a toolkit of math problem-solving strategies at their disposal to provide different ways to approach math problems. This makes it easier to find solutions and understand math better.

Strategies can help guide students to the solution when it is difficult ot know when to start.

The ultimate guide to problem solving techniques

Download these ready-to-go problem solving techniques that every student should know. Includes printable tasks for students including challenges, short explanations for teachers with questioning prompts.

20 Math Strategies For Problem-Solving

Different problem-solving math strategies are required for different parts of the problem. It is unlikely that students will use the same strategy to understand and solve the problem.

Here are 20 strategies to help students develop their problem-solving skills.

Strategies to understand the problem

Strategies that help students understand the problem before solving it helps ensure they understand:

The context
What the key information is
How to form a plan to solve it

Following these steps leads students to the correct solution and makes the math word problem easier .

Here are five strategies to help students understand the content of the problem and identify key information.

1. Read the problem aloud

Read a word problem aloud to help understand it. Hearing the words engages auditory processing. This can make it easier to process and comprehend the context of the situation.

2. Highlight keywords

When keywords are highlighted in a word problem, it helps the student focus on the essential information needed to solve it. Some important keywords help determine which operation is needed. For example, if the word problem asks how many are left, the problem likely requires subtraction. Ensure students highlight the keywords carefully and do not highlight every number or keyword. There is likely irrelevant information in the word problem.

3. Summarize the information

Read the problem aloud, highlight the key information and then summarize the information. Students can do this in their heads or write down a quick summary. Summaries should include only the important information and be in simple terms that help contextualize the problem.

4. Determine the unknown

A common problem that students have when solving a word problem is misunderstanding what they are solving. Determine what the unknown information is before finding the answer. Often, a word problem contains a question where you can find the unknown information you need to solve. For example, in the question ‘How many apples are left?’ students need to find the number of apples left over.

5. Make a plan

Once students understand the context of the word problem, have dentified the important information and determined the unknown, they can make a plan to solve it. The plan will depend on the type of problem. Some problems involve more than one step to solve them as some require more than one answer. Encourage students to make a list of each step they need to take to solve the problem before getting started.

Strategies for solving the problem

1. draw a model or diagram.

Students may find it useful to draw a model, picture, diagram, or other visual aid to help with the problem solving process. It can help to visualize the problem to understand the relationships between the numbers in the problem. In turn, this helps students see the solution.

math problem that needs a problem solving strategy

Similarly, you could draw a model to represent the objects in the problem:

2. Act it out

This particular strategy is applicable at any grade level but is especially helpful in math investigation in elementary school . It involves a physical demonstration or students acting out the problem using movements, concrete resources and math manipulatives . When students act out a problem, they can visualize and contectualize the word problem in another way and secure an understanding of the math concepts. The examples below show how 1st-grade students could “act out” an addition and subtraction problem:

The problem	How to act out the problem
Gia has 6 apples. Jordan has 3 apples. How many apples do they have altogether?	Two students use counters to represent the apples. One student has 6 counters and the other student takes 3. Then, they can combine their “apples” and count the total.
Michael has 7 pencils. He gives 2 pencils to Sarah. How many pencils does Michael have now?	One student (“Michael”) holds 7 pencils, the other (“Sarah”) holds 2 pencils. The student playing Michael gives 2 pencils to the student playing Sarah. Then the students count how many pencils Michael is left holding.

3. Work backwards

Working backwards is a popular problem-solving strategy. It involves starting with a possible solution and deciding what steps to take to arrive at that solution. This strategy can be particularly helpful when students solve math word problems involving multiple steps. They can start at the end and think carefully about each step taken as opposed to jumping to the end of the problem and missing steps in between.

For example,

To solve this problem working backwards, start with the final condition, which is Sam’s grandmother’s age (71) and work backwards to find Sam’s age. Subtract 20 from the grandmother’s age, which is 71. Then, divide the result by 3 to get Sam’s age. 71 – 20 = 51 51 ÷ 3 = 17 Sam is 17 years old.

4. Write a number sentence

When faced with a word problem, encourage students to write a number sentence based on the information. This helps translate the information in the word problem into a math equation or expression, which is more easily solved. It is important to fully understand the context of the word problem and what students need to solve before writing an equation to represent it.

5. Use a formula

Specific formulas help solve many math problems. For example, if a problem asks students to find the area of a rug, they would use the area formula (area = length × width) to solve. Make sure students know the important mathematical formulas they will need in tests and real-life. It can help to display these around the classroom or, for those who need more support, on students’ desks.

Strategies for checking the solution

Once the problem is solved using an appropriate strategy, it is equally important to check the solution to ensure it is correct and makes sense.

There are many strategies to check the solution. The strategy for a specific problem is dependent on the problem type and math content involved.

Here are five strategies to help students check their solutions.

1. Use the Inverse Operation

For simpler problems, a quick and easy problem solving strategy is to use the inverse operation. For example, if the operation to solve a word problem is 56 ÷ 8 = 7 students can check the answer is correct by multiplying 8 × 7. As good practice, encourage students to use the inverse operation routinely to check their work.

2. Estimate to check for reasonableness

Once students reach an answer, they can use estimation or rounding to see if the answer is reasonable. Round each number in the equation to a number that’s close and easy to work with, usually a multiple of ten. For example, if the question was 216 ÷ 18 and the quotient was 12, students might round 216 to 200 and round 18 to 20. Then use mental math to solve 200 ÷ 20, which is 10. When the estimate is clear the two numbers are close. This means your answer is reasonable.

3. Plug-In Method

This method is particularly useful for algebraic equations. Specifically when working with variables. To use the plug-in method, students solve the problem as asked and arrive at an answer. They can then plug the answer into the original equation to see if it works. If it does, the answer is correct.

If students use the equation 20m+80=300 to solve this problem and find that m = 11, they can plug that value back into the equation to see if it is correct. 20m + 80 = 300 20 (11) + 80 = 300 220 + 80 = 300 300 = 300 ✓

4. Peer Review

Peer review is a great tool to use at any grade level as it promotes critical thinking and collaboration between students. The reviewers can look at the problem from a different view as they check to see if the problem was solved correctly. Problem solvers receive immediate feedback and the opportunity to discuss their thinking with their peers. This strategy is effective with mixed-ability partners or similar-ability partners. In mixed-ability groups, the partner with stronger skills provides guidance and support to the partner with weaker skills, while reinforcing their own understanding of the content and communication skills. If partners have comparable ability levels and problem-solving skills, they may find that they approach problems differently or have unique insights to offer each other about the problem-solving process.

5. Use a Calculator

A calculator can be introduced at any grade level but may be best for older students who already have a foundational understanding of basic math operations. Provide students with a calculator to allow them to check their solutions independently, accurately, and quickly. Since calculators are so readily available on smartphones and tablets, they allow students to develop practical skills that apply to real-world situations.

Step-by-step problem-solving processes for your classroom

In his book, How to Solve It , published in 1945, mathematician George Polya introduced a 4-step process to solve problems.

Polya’s 4 steps include:

Understand the problem
Devise a plan
Carry out the plan

Today, in the style of George Polya, many problem-solving strategies use various acronyms and steps to help students recall.

Many teachers create posters and anchor charts of their chosen process to display in their classrooms. They can be implemented in any elementary, middle school or high school classroom.

Here are 5 problem-solving strategies to introduce to students and use in the classroom.

How Third Space Learning improves problem-solving

Resources .

Third Space Learning offers a free resource library is filled with hundreds of high-quality resources. A team of experienced math experts carefully created each resource to develop students mental arithmetic, problem solving and critical thinking.

Explore the range of problem solving resources for 2nd to 8th grade students.

One-on-one tutoring

Third Space Learning offers one-on-one math tutoring to help students improve their math skills. Highly qualified tutors deliver high-quality lessons aligned to state standards.

Former teachers and math experts write all of Third Space Learning’s tutoring lessons. Expertly designed lessons follow a “my turn, follow me, your turn” pedagogy to help students move from guided instruction and problem-solving to independent practice.

Throughout each lesson, tutors ask higher-level thinking questions to promote critical thinking and ensure students are developing a deep understanding of the content and problem-solving skills.

Problem-solving

Educators can use many different strategies to teach problem-solving and help students develop and carry out a plan when solving math problems. Incorporate these math strategies into any math program and use them with a variety of math concepts, from whole numbers and fractions to algebra.

Teaching students how to choose and implement problem-solving strategies helps them develop mathematical reasoning skills and critical thinking they can apply to real-life problem-solving.

Ultimate Guide to Metacognition [FREE]

Looking for a summary on metacognition in relation to math teaching and learning?

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Math Problem Solving Strategies

In these lessons, we will learn some math problem solving strategies for example, Verbal Model (or Logical Reasoning), Algebraic Model, Block Model (or Singapore Math), Guess & Check Model and Find a Pattern Model.

Related Pages Solving Word Problems Using Block Models Heuristic Approach to Problem-Solving Algebra Lessons

Problem Solving Strategies

The strategies used in solving word problems:

What do you know?
What do you need to know?
Draw a diagram/picture

Solution Strategies Label Variables Verbal Model or Logical Reasoning Algebraic Model - Translate Verbal Model to Algebraic Model Solve and Check.

Solving Word Problems

Step 1: Identify (What is being asked?) Step 2: Strategize Step 3: Write the equation(s) Step 4: Answer the question Step 5: Check

Problem Solving Strategy: Guess And Check

Using the guess and check problem solving strategy to help solve math word problems.

Example: Jamie spent $40 for an outfit. She paid for the items using $10, $5 and $1 bills. If she gave the clerk 10 bills in all, how many of each bill did she use?

Problem Solving : Make A Table And Look For A Pattern

Identify - What is the question?
Plan - What strategy will I use to solve the problem?
Solve - Carry out your plan.
Verify - Does my answer make sense?

Example: Marcus ran a lemonade stand for 5 days. On the first day, he made $5. Every day after that he made $2 more than the previous day. How much money did Marcus made in all after 5 days?

Find A Pattern Model (Intermediate)

In this lesson, we will look at some intermediate examples of Find a Pattern method of problem-solving strategy.

Example: The figure shows a series of rectangles where each rectangle is bounded by 10 dots. a) How many dots are required for 7 rectangles? b) If the figure has 73 dots, how many rectangles would there be?

Rectangles	Pattern	Total dots
1	10	10
2	10 + 7	17
3	10 + 14	24
4	10 + 21	31
5	10 + 28	38
6	10 + 35	45
7	10 + 42	52
8	10 + 49	59
9	10 + 56	66
10	10 + 63	73

a) The number of dots required for 7 rectangles is 52.

b) If the figure has 73 dots, there would be 10 rectangles.

Example: Each triangle in the figure below has 3 dots. Study the pattern and find the number of dots for 7 layers of triangles.

Layers	Pattern	Total dots
1	3	3
2	3 + 3	6
3	3 + 3 + 4	10
4	3 + 3 + 4 + 5	15
5	3 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6	21
6	3 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7	28
7	3 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8	36

The number of dots for 7 layers of triangles is 36.

Example: The table below shows numbers placed into groups I, II, III, IV, V and VI. In which groups would the following numbers belong? a) 25 b) 46 c) 269

I	1	7	13	19	25
II	2	8	14	20	26
III	3	9	15	21	27
IV	4	10	16	22
V	5	11	17	23
VI	6	12	18	24

Solution: The pattern is: The remainder when the number is divided by 6 determines the group. a) 25 ÷ 6 = 4 remainder 1 (Group I) b) 46 ÷ 6 = 7 remainder 4 (Group IV) c) 269 ÷ 6 = 44 remainder 5 (Group V)

Example: The following figures were formed using matchsticks.

a) Based on the above series of figures, complete the table below.

Number of squares	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Number of triangles	4	6	8	10
Number of matchsticks	12	19	26	33

b) How many triangles are there if the figure in the series has 9 squares?

c) How many matchsticks would be used in the figure in the series with 11 squares?

Number of squares	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Number of triangles	4	6	8	10	12	14	16	18
Number of matchsticks	12	19	26	33	40	47	54	61

b) The pattern is +2 for each additional square. 18 + 2 = 20 If the figure in the series has 9 squares, there would be 20 triangles.

c) The pattern is + 7 for each additional square 61 + (3 x 7) = 82 If the figure in the series has 11 squares, there would be 82 matchsticks.

Example: Seven ex-schoolmates had a gathering. Each one of them shook hands with all others once. How many handshakes were there?

	A	B	C	D	E	F	G
A
B	●
C	●	●
D	●	●	●
E	●	●	●	●
F	●	●	●	●	●
G	●	●	●	●	●	●
HS	6	5	4	3	2	1

Total = 6 + 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 21 handshakes.

The following video shows more examples of using problem solving strategies and models. Question 1: Approximate your average speed given some information Question 2: The table shows the number of seats in each of the first four rows in an auditorium. The remaining ten rows follow the same pattern. Find the number of seats in the last row. Question 3: You are hanging three pictures in the wall of your home that is 16 feet wide. The width of your pictures are 2, 3 and 4 feet. You want space between your pictures to be the same and the space to the left and right to be 6 inches more than between the pictures. How would you place the pictures?

The following are some other examples of problem solving strategies.

Explore it/Act it/Try it (EAT) Method (Basic) Explore it/Act it/Try it (EAT) Method (Intermediate) Explore it/Act it/Try it (EAT) Method (Advanced)

Finding A Pattern (Basic) Finding A Pattern (Intermediate) Finding A Pattern (Advanced)

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5 Teaching Mathematics Through Problem Solving

Janet Stramel

In his book “How to Solve It,” George Pólya (1945) said, “One of the most important tasks of the teacher is to help his students. This task is not quite easy; it demands time, practice, devotion, and sound principles. The student should acquire as much experience of independent work as possible. But if he is left alone with his problem without any help, he may make no progress at all. If the teacher helps too much, nothing is left to the student. The teacher should help, but not too much and not too little, so that the student shall have a reasonable share of the work.” (page 1)

What is a problem in mathematics? A problem is “any task or activity for which the students have no prescribed or memorized rules or methods, nor is there a perception by students that there is a specific ‘correct’ solution method” (Hiebert, et. al., 1997). Problem solving in mathematics is one of the most important topics to teach; learning to problem solve helps students develop a sense of solving real-life problems and apply mathematics to real world situations. It is also used for a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Learning “math facts” is not enough; students must also learn how to use these facts to develop their thinking skills.

According to NCTM (2010), the term “problem solving” refers to mathematical tasks that have the potential to provide intellectual challenges for enhancing students’ mathematical understanding and development. When you first hear “problem solving,” what do you think about? Story problems or word problems? Story problems may be limited to and not “problematic” enough. For example, you may ask students to find the area of a rectangle, given the length and width. This type of problem is an exercise in computation and can be completed mindlessly without understanding the concept of area. Worthwhile problems includes problems that are truly problematic and have the potential to provide contexts for students’ mathematical development.

There are three ways to solve problems: teaching for problem solving, teaching about problem solving, and teaching through problem solving.

Teaching for problem solving begins with learning a skill. For example, students are learning how to multiply a two-digit number by a one-digit number, and the story problems you select are multiplication problems. Be sure when you are teaching for problem solving, you select or develop tasks that can promote the development of mathematical understanding.

Teaching about problem solving begins with suggested strategies to solve a problem. For example, “draw a picture,” “make a table,” etc. You may see posters in teachers’ classrooms of the “Problem Solving Method” such as: 1) Read the problem, 2) Devise a plan, 3) Solve the problem, and 4) Check your work. There is little or no evidence that students’ problem-solving abilities are improved when teaching about problem solving. Students will see a word problem as a separate endeavor and focus on the steps to follow rather than the mathematics. In addition, students will tend to use trial and error instead of focusing on sense making.

Teaching through problem solving focuses students’ attention on ideas and sense making and develops mathematical practices. Teaching through problem solving also develops a student’s confidence and builds on their strengths. It allows for collaboration among students and engages students in their own learning.

Consider the following worthwhile-problem criteria developed by Lappan and Phillips (1998):

The problem has important, useful mathematics embedded in it.
The problem requires high-level thinking and problem solving.
The problem contributes to the conceptual development of students.
The problem creates an opportunity for the teacher to assess what his or her students are learning and where they are experiencing difficulty.
The problem can be approached by students in multiple ways using different solution strategies.
The problem has various solutions or allows different decisions or positions to be taken and defended.
The problem encourages student engagement and discourse.
The problem connects to other important mathematical ideas.
The problem promotes the skillful use of mathematics.
The problem provides an opportunity to practice important skills.

Of course, not every problem will include all of the above. Sometimes, you will choose a problem because your students need an opportunity to practice a certain skill.

Key features of a good mathematics problem includes:

It must begin where the students are mathematically.
The feature of the problem must be the mathematics that students are to learn.
It must require justifications and explanations for both answers and methods of solving.

Problem solving is not a neat and orderly process. Think about needlework. On the front side, it is neat and perfect and pretty.

But look at the b ack.

It is messy and full of knots and loops. Problem solving in mathematics is also like this and we need to help our students be “messy” with problem solving; they need to go through those knots and loops and learn how to solve problems with the teacher’s guidance.

When you teach through problem solving , your students are focused on ideas and sense-making and they develop confidence in mathematics!

Mathematics Tasks and Activities that Promote Teaching through Problem Solving

Choosing the Right Task

Selecting activities and/or tasks is the most significant decision teachers make that will affect students’ learning. Consider the following questions:

Teachers must do the activity first. What is problematic about the activity? What will you need to do BEFORE the activity and AFTER the activity? Additionally, think how your students would do the activity.
What mathematical ideas will the activity develop? Are there connections to other related mathematics topics, or other content areas?
Can the activity accomplish your learning objective/goals?

Low Floor High Ceiling Tasks

By definition, a “ low floor/high ceiling task ” is a mathematical activity where everyone in the group can begin and then work on at their own level of engagement. Low Floor High Ceiling Tasks are activities that everyone can begin and work on based on their own level, and have many possibilities for students to do more challenging mathematics. One gauge of knowing whether an activity is a Low Floor High Ceiling Task is when the work on the problems becomes more important than the answer itself, and leads to rich mathematical discourse [Hover: ways of representing, thinking, talking, agreeing, and disagreeing; the way ideas are exchanged and what the ideas entail; and as being shaped by the tasks in which students engage as well as by the nature of the learning environment].

The strengths of using Low Floor High Ceiling Tasks:

Allows students to show what they can do, not what they can’t.
Provides differentiation to all students.
Promotes a positive classroom environment.
Advances a growth mindset in students
Aligns with the Standards for Mathematical Practice

Examples of some Low Floor High Ceiling Tasks can be found at the following sites:

YouCubed – under grades choose Low Floor High Ceiling
NRICH Creating a Low Threshold High Ceiling Classroom
Inside Mathematics Problems of the Month

Math in 3-Acts

Math in 3-Acts was developed by Dan Meyer to spark an interest in and engage students in thought-provoking mathematical inquiry. Math in 3-Acts is a whole-group mathematics task consisting of three distinct parts:

Act One is about noticing and wondering. The teacher shares with students an image, video, or other situation that is engaging and perplexing. Students then generate questions about the situation.

In Act Two , the teacher offers some information for the students to use as they find the solutions to the problem.

Act Three is the “reveal.” Students share their thinking as well as their solutions.

“Math in 3 Acts” is a fun way to engage your students, there is a low entry point that gives students confidence, there are multiple paths to a solution, and it encourages students to work in groups to solve the problem. Some examples of Math in 3-Acts can be found at the following websites:

Dan Meyer’s Three-Act Math Tasks
Graham Fletcher3-Act Tasks ]
Math in 3-Acts: Real World Math Problems to Make Math Contextual, Visual and Concrete

Number Talks

Number talks are brief, 5-15 minute discussions that focus on student solutions for a mental math computation problem. Students share their different mental math processes aloud while the teacher records their thinking visually on a chart or board. In addition, students learn from each other’s strategies as they question, critique, or build on the strategies that are shared.. To use a “number talk,” you would include the following steps:

The teacher presents a problem for students to solve mentally.
Provide adequate “ wait time .”
The teacher calls on a students and asks, “What were you thinking?” and “Explain your thinking.”
For each student who volunteers to share their strategy, write their thinking on the board. Make sure to accurately record their thinking; do not correct their responses.
Invite students to question each other about their strategies, compare and contrast the strategies, and ask for clarification about strategies that are confusing.

“Number Talks” can be used as an introduction, a warm up to a lesson, or an extension. Some examples of Number Talks can be found at the following websites:

Inside Mathematics Number Talks
Number Talks Build Numerical Reasoning

Saying “This is Easy”

“This is easy.” Three little words that can have a big impact on students. What may be “easy” for one person, may be more “difficult” for someone else. And saying “this is easy” defeats the purpose of a growth mindset classroom, where students are comfortable making mistakes.

When the teacher says, “this is easy,” students may think,

“Everyone else understands and I don’t. I can’t do this!”
Students may just give up and surrender the mathematics to their classmates.
Students may shut down.

Instead, you and your students could say the following:

“I think I can do this.”
“I have an idea I want to try.”
“I’ve seen this kind of problem before.”

Tracy Zager wrote a short article, “This is easy”: The Little Phrase That Causes Big Problems” that can give you more information. Read Tracy Zager’s article here.

Using “Worksheets”

Do you want your students to memorize concepts, or do you want them to understand and apply the mathematics for different situations?

What is a “worksheet” in mathematics? It is a paper and pencil assignment when no other materials are used. A worksheet does not allow your students to use hands-on materials/manipulatives [Hover: physical objects that are used as teaching tools to engage students in the hands-on learning of mathematics]; and worksheets are many times “naked number” with no context. And a worksheet should not be used to enhance a hands-on activity.

Students need time to explore and manipulate materials in order to learn the mathematics concept. Worksheets are just a test of rote memory. Students need to develop those higher-order thinking skills, and worksheets will not allow them to do that.

One productive belief from the NCTM publication, Principles to Action (2014), states, “Students at all grade levels can benefit from the use of physical and virtual manipulative materials to provide visual models of a range of mathematical ideas.”

You may need an “activity sheet,” a “graphic organizer,” etc. as you plan your mathematics activities/lessons, but be sure to include hands-on manipulatives. Using manipulatives can

Provide your students a bridge between the concrete and abstract
Serve as models that support students’ thinking
Provide another representation
Support student engagement
Give students ownership of their own learning.

Adapted from “ The Top 5 Reasons for Using Manipulatives in the Classroom ”.

any task or activity for which the students have no prescribed or memorized rules or methods, nor is there a perception by students that there is a specific ‘correct’ solution method

should be intriguing and contain a level of challenge that invites speculation and hard work, and directs students to investigate important mathematical ideas and ways of thinking toward the learning

involves teaching a skill so that a student can later solve a story problem

when we teach students how to problem solve

teaching mathematics content through real contexts, problems, situations, and models

a mathematical activity where everyone in the group can begin and then work on at their own level of engagement

20 seconds to 2 minutes for students to make sense of questions

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Problem Solving Activities: 7 Strategies

Critical Thinking

Problem solving can be a daunting aspect of effective mathematics teaching, but it does not have to be! In this post, I share seven strategic ways to integrate problem solving into your everyday math program.

In the middle of our problem solving lesson, my district math coordinator stopped by for a surprise walkthrough.

I was so excited!

We were in the middle of what I thought was the most brilliant math lesson– teaching my students how to solve problem solving tasks using specific problem solving strategies.

It was a proud moment for me!

Each week, I presented a new problem solving strategy and the students completed problems that emphasized the strategy.

Genius right?

After observing my class, my district coordinator pulled me aside to chat. I was excited to talk to her about my brilliant plan, but she told me I should provide the tasks and let my students come up with ways to solve the problems. Then, as students shared their work, I could revoice the student’s strategies and give them an official name.

What a crushing blow! Just when I thought I did something special, I find out I did it all wrong.

I took some time to consider her advice. Once I acknowledged she was right, I was able to make BIG changes to the way I taught problem solving in the classroom.

When I Finally Saw the Light

To give my students an opportunity to engage in more authentic problem solving which would lead them to use a larger variety of problem solving strategies, I decided to vary the activities and the way I approached problem solving with my students.

Problem Solving Activities

Here are seven ways to strategically reinforce problem solving skills in your classroom.

Seasonal Problem Solving

Many teachers use word problems as problem solving tasks. Instead, try engaging your students with non-routine tasks that look like word problems but require more than the use of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division to complete. Seasonal problem solving tasks and daily challenges are a perfect way to celebrate the season and have a little fun too!

Cooperative Problem Solving Tasks

Go cooperative! If you’ve got a few extra minutes, have students work on problem solving tasks in small groups. After working through the task, students create a poster to help explain their solution process and then post their poster around the classroom. Students then complete a gallery walk of the posters in the classroom and provide feedback via sticky notes or during a math talk session.

Notice and Wonder

Before beginning a problem solving task, such as a seasonal problem solving task, conduct a Notice and Wonder session. To do this, ask students what they notice about the problem. Then, ask them what they wonder about the problem. This will give students an opportunity to highlight the unique characteristics and conditions of the problem as they try to make sense of it.

Want a better experience? Remove the stimulus, or question, and allow students to wonder about the problem. Try it! You’ll gain some great insight into how your students think about a problem.

$This is an example of a math starter.$

Math Starters

Start your math block with a math starter, critical thinking activities designed to get your students thinking about math and provide opportunities to “sneak” in grade-level content and skills in a fun and engaging way. These tasks are quick, designed to take no more than five minutes, and provide a great way to turn-on your students’ brains. Read more about math starters here !

Create your own puzzle box! The puzzle box is a set of puzzles and math challenges I use as fast finisher tasks for my students when they finish an assignment or need an extra challenge. The box can be a file box, file crate, or even a wall chart. It includes a variety of activities so all students can find a challenge that suits their interests and ability level.

Calculators

Use calculators! For some reason, this tool is not one many students get to use frequently; however, it’s important students have a chance to practice using it in the classroom. After all, almost everyone has access to a calculator on their cell phones. There are also some standardized tests that allow students to use them, so it’s important for us to practice using calculators in the classroom. Plus, calculators can be fun learning tools all by themselves!

Three-Act Math Tasks

Use a three-act math task to engage students with a content-focused, real-world problem! These math tasks were created with math modeling in mind– students are presented with a scenario and then given clues and hints to help them solve the problem. There are several sites where you can find these awesome math tasks, including Dan Meyer’s Three-Act Math Tasks and Graham Fletcher’s 3-Acts Lessons .

Getting the Most from Each of the Problem Solving Activities

When students participate in problem solving activities, it is important to ask guiding, not leading, questions. This provides students with the support necessary to move forward in their thinking and it provides teachers with a more in-depth understanding of student thinking. Selecting an initial question and then analyzing a student’s response tells teachers where to go next.

Ready to jump in? Grab a free set of problem solving challenges like the ones pictured using the form below.

Which of the problem solving activities will you try first? Respond in the comments below.

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Shametria Routt Banks

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This is a very cool site. I hope it takes off and is well received by teachers. I work in mathematical problem solving and help prepare pre-service teachers in mathematics.

Thank you, Scott! Best wishes to you and your pre-service teachers this year!

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Mathematics Through Problem Solving

What Is A ‘Problem-Solving Approach’?

interactions between students/students and teacher/students (Van Zoest et al., 1994)
mathematical dialogue and consensus between students (Van Zoest et al., 1994)
teachers providing just enough information to establish background/intent of the problem, and students clarifing, interpreting, and attempting to construct one or more solution processes (Cobb et al., 1991)
teachers accepting right/wrong answers in a non-evaluative way (Cobb et al., 1991)
teachers guiding, coaching, asking insightful questions and sharing in the process of solving problems (Lester et al., 1994)
teachers knowing when it is appropriate to intervene, and when to step back and let the pupils make their own way (Lester et al., 1994)
A further characteristic is that a problem-solving approach can be used to encourage students to make generalisations about rules and concepts, a process which is central to mathematics (Evan and Lappin, 1994).

Schoenfeld (in Olkin and Schoenfeld, 1994, p.43) described the way in which the use of problem solving in his teaching has changed since the 1970s:

My early problem-solving courses focused on problems amenable to solutions by Polya-type heuristics: draw a diagram, examine special cases or analogies, specialize, generalize, and so on. Over the years the courses evolved to the point where they focused less on heuristics per se and more on introducing students to fundamental ideas: the importance of mathematical reasoning and proof…, for example, and of sustained mathematical investigations (where my problems served as starting points for serious explorations, rather than tasks to be completed).

Schoenfeld also suggested that a good problem should be one which can be extended to lead to mathematical explorations and generalisations. He described three characteristics of mathematical thinking:

valuing the processes of mathematization and abstraction and having the predilection to apply them
developing competence with the tools of the trade and using those tools in the service of the goal of understanding structure – mathematical sense-making (Schoenfeld, 1994, p.60).
As Cobb et al. (1991) suggested, the purpose for engaging in problem solving is not just to solve specific problems, but to ‘encourage the interiorization and reorganization of the involved schemes as a result of the activity’ (p.187). Not only does this approach develop students’ confidence in their own ability to think mathematically (Schifter and Fosnot, 1993), it is a vehicle for students to construct, evaluate and refine their own theories about mathematics and the theories of others (NCTM, 1989). Because it has become so predominant a requirement of teaching, it is important to consider the processes themselves in more detail.

The Role of Problem Solving in Teaching Mathematics as a Process

Problem solving is an important component of mathematics education because it is the single vehicle which seems to be able to achieve at school level all three of the values of mathematics listed at the outset of this article: functional, logical and aesthetic. Let us consider how problem solving is a useful medium for each of these.

It has already been pointed out that mathematics is an essential discipline because of its practical role to the individual and society. Through a problem-solving approach, this aspect of mathematics can be developed. Presenting a problem and developing the skills needed to solve that problem is more motivational than teaching the skills without a context. Such motivation gives problem solving special value as a vehicle for learning new concepts and skills or the reinforcement of skills already acquired (Stanic and Kilpatrick, 1989, NCTM, 1989). Approaching mathematics through problem solving can create a context which simulates real life and therefore justifies the mathematics rather than treating it as an end in itself. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM, 1980) recommended that problem solving be the focus of mathematics teaching because, they say, it encompasses skills and functions which are an important part of everyday life. Furthermore it can help people to adapt to changes and unexpected problems in their careers and other aspects of their lives. More recently the Council endorsed this recommendation (NCTM, 1989) with the statement that problem solving should underly all aspects of mathematics teaching in order to give students experience of the power of mathematics in the world around them. They see problem solving as a vehicle for students to construct, evaluate and refine their own theories about mathematics and the theories of others.

According to Resnick (1987) a problem-solving approach contributes to the practical use of mathematics by helping people to develop the facility to be adaptable when, for instance, technology breaks down. It can thus also help people to transfer into new work environments at this time when most are likely to be faced with several career changes during a working lifetime (NCTM, 1989). Resnick expressed the belief that ‘school should focus its efforts on preparing people to be good adaptive learners, so that they can perform effectively when situations are unpredictable and task demands change’ (p.18). Cockcroft (1982) also advocated problem solving as a means of developing mathematical thinking as a tool for daily living, saying that problem-solving ability lies ‘at the heart of mathematics’ (p.73) because it is the means by which mathematics can be applied to a variety of unfamiliar situations.

Problem solving is, however, more than a vehicle for teaching and reinforcing mathematical knowledge and helping to meet everyday challenges. It is also a skill which can enhance logical reasoning. Individuals can no longer function optimally in society by just knowing the rules to follow to obtain a correct answer. They also need to be able to decide through a process of logical deduction what algorithm, if any, a situation requires, and sometimes need to be able to develop their own rules in a situation where an algorithm cannot be directly applied. For these reasons problem solving can be developed as a valuable skill in itself, a way of thinking (NCTM, 1989), rather than just as the means to an end of finding the correct answer.

Many writers have emphasised the importance of problem solving as a means of developing the logical thinking aspect of mathematics. ‘If education fails to contribute to the development of the intelligence, it is obviously incomplete. Yet intelligence is essentially the ability to solve problems: everyday problems, personal problems … ‘(Polya, 1980, p.1). Modern definitions of intelligence (Gardner, 1985) talk about practical intelligence which enables ‘the individual to resolve genuine problems or difficulties that he or she encounters’ (p.60) and also encourages the individual to find or create problems ‘thereby laying the groundwork for the acquisition of new knowledge’ (p.85). As was pointed out earlier, standard mathematics, with the emphasis on the acquisition of knowledge, does not necessarily cater for these needs. Resnick (1987) described the discrepancies which exist between the algorithmic approaches taught in schools and the ‘invented’ strategies which most people use in the workforce in order to solve practical problems which do not always fit neatly into a taught algorithm. As she says, most people have developed ‘rules of thumb’ for calculating, for example, quantities, discounts or the amount of change they should give, and these rarely involve standard algorithms. Training in problem-solving techniques equips people more readily with the ability to adapt to such situations.

A further reason why a problem-solving approach is valuable is as an aesthetic form. Problem solving allows the student to experience a range of emotions associated with various stages in the solution process. Mathematicians who successfully solve problems say that the experience of having done so contributes to an appreciation for the ‘power and beauty of mathematics’ (NCTM, 1989, p.77), the “joy of banging your head against a mathematical wall, and then discovering that there might be ways of either going around or over that wall” (Olkin and Schoenfeld, 1994, p.43). They also speak of the willingness or even desire to engage with a task for a length of time which causes the task to cease being a ‘puzzle’ and allows it to become a problem. However, although it is this engagement which initially motivates the solver to pursue a problem, it is still necessary for certain techniques to be available for the involvement to continue successfully. Hence more needs to be understood about what these techniques are and how they can best be made available.

In the past decade it has been suggested that problem-solving techniques can be made available most effectively through making problem solving the focus of the mathematics curriculum. Although mathematical problems have traditionally been a part of the mathematics curriculum, it has been only comparatively recently that problem solving has come to be regarded as an important medium for teaching and learning mathematics (Stanic and Kilpatrick, 1989). In the past problem solving had a place in the mathematics classroom, but it was usually used in a token way as a starting point to obtain a single correct answer, usually by following a single ‘correct’ procedure. More recently, however, professional organisations such as the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM, 1980 and 1989) have recommended that the mathematics curriculum should be organized around problem solving, focusing on:

developing skills and the ability to apply these skills to unfamiliar situations
gathering, organising, interpreting and communicating information
formulating key questions, analyzing and conceptualizing problems, defining problems and goals, discovering patterns and similarities, seeking out appropriate data, experimenting, transferring skills and strategies to new situations
developing curiosity, confidence and open-mindedness (NCTM, 1980, pp.2-3).

One of the aims of teaching through problem solving is to encourage students to refine and build onto their own processes over a period of time as their experiences allow them to discard some ideas and become aware of further possibilities (Carpenter, 1989). As well as developing knowledge, the students are also developing an understanding of when it is appropriate to use particular strategies. Through using this approach the emphasis is on making the students more responsible for their own learning rather than letting them feel that the algorithms they use are the inventions of some external and unknown ‘expert’. There is considerable importance placed on exploratory activities, observation and discovery, and trial and error. Students need to develop their own theories, test them, test the theories of others, discard them if they are not consistent, and try something else (NCTM, 1989). Students can become even more involved in problem solving by formulating and solving their own problems, or by rewriting problems in their own words in order to facilitate understanding. It is of particular importance to note that they are encouraged to discuss the processes which they are undertaking, in order to improve understanding, gain new insights into the problem and communicate their ideas (Thompson, 1985, Stacey and Groves, 1985).

It has been suggested in this chapter that there are many reasons why a problem-solving approach can contribute significantly to the outcomes of a mathematics education. Not only is it a vehicle for developing logical thinking, it can provide students with a context for learning mathematical knowledge, it can enhance transfer of skills to unfamiliar situations and it is an aesthetic form in itself. A problem-solving approach can provide a vehicle for students to construct their own ideas about mathematics and to take responsibility for their own learning. There is little doubt that the mathematics program can be enhanced by the establishment of an environment in which students are exposed to teaching via problem solving, as opposed to more traditional models of teaching about problem solving. The challenge for teachers, at all levels, is to develop the process of mathematical thinking alongside the knowledge and to seek opportunities to present even routine mathematics tasks in problem-solving contexts.

Example #1 – Mathematical Treasure Hunt

Objective – The objective of this activity is to encourage students to apply their problem-solving skills while having fun exploring mathematical concepts in a real-world context.

Materials Needed

Paper and pencils for each student Treasure map (could be a printed map or drawn by hand) Clues (math-related questions or puzzles) Optional: Small prizes or rewards for completing the treasure hunt Instructions:

Introduction (5 minutes)

Begin by introducing the activity to the students. Explain that they will be going on a mathematical treasure hunt where they will solve math problems to uncover hidden clues leading them to the treasure. Emphasize that this activity will require their problem-solving skills and teamwork.

Setting Up the Treasure Hunt (10 minutes)

Prepare a treasure map with different locations marked on it. These locations could be scattered around the classroom, school, or any other designated area. Hide clues at each location that will lead the students to the next destination.

Creating Clues (15 minutes)

Create math-related clues or puzzles that the students will need to solve to uncover the next location on the treasure map. The clues should be age-appropriate and aligned with the students’ math skills. For example:

Solve the following addition problem to reveal the next clue: 15 + 27 – 9 = ?

Count the number of chairs in the classroom and multiply by 3 to find the next location.

Find the area of the square-shaped rug in the library to unlock the next clue.

Starting the Treasure Hunt (5 minutes)

Divide the students into small groups or pairs, depending on the class size. Provide each group with a treasure map and the first clue. Explain the rules of the treasure hunt and encourage students to work together to solve the clues.

Exploring and Solving Clues (30 minutes)

Allow the students to begin the treasure hunt. As they solve each clue, they will uncover the location of the next clue on the treasure map. Encourage them to discuss and collaborate on the solutions to the math problems. Circulate around the room to provide assistance and guidance as needed.

Finding the Treasure (10 minutes)

Once the students have solved all the clues and reached the final location on the treasure map, they will discover the hidden treasure.

Congratulate them on their problem-solving skills and teamwork. You can optionally reward the students with small prizes or certificates for completing the treasure hunt successfully.

Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)

After the treasure hunt, gather the students together for a brief reflection and discussion. Ask them about their favorite part of the activity, the challenges they faced, and what they learned from solving the math problems. Encourage them to share their strategies and insights with the class.

Extension Ideas

Create themed treasure hunts based on specific mathematical concepts such as geometry, fractions, or measurement.

Invite students to design their own treasure hunts for their classmates, incorporating math problems and creative clues.

Integrate technology by using QR codes or digital maps to lead students to each clue location.

By engaging students in a fun and interactive math problem-solving activity like the “Mathematical Treasure Hunt,” educators can foster a positive attitude towards mathematics while strengthening students’ critical thinking and collaboration skills.

Example #2 – Math Maze Adventure

Objective – The objective of this activity is to challenge students’ problem-solving abilities while navigating through a maze filled with math-related obstacles and puzzles.

Large maze layout (could be drawn on a poster board or printed) Dice Game tokens or markers for each student Math problem cards (with varying difficulty levels) Stopwatch or timer Optional: Prizes or rewards for completing the maze within a certain time limit

Instructions

Begin by introducing the “Math Maze Adventure” to the students. Explain that they will embark on a thrilling journey through a maze filled with mathematical challenges that they must overcome using their problem-solving skills.

Setting Up the Maze (10 minutes)

Create a large maze layout on a poster board or print one from a maze generator website. Designate a starting point and an endpoint within the maze. Place obstacles and challenges throughout the maze, such as math problems, riddles, or puzzles.

Preparing Math Problem Cards (15 minutes)

Create a set of math problem cards with varying difficulty levels. These problems could involve arithmetic operations, geometry concepts, fractions, or any other relevant math topics. Write each problem on a separate card and mix them up.

Starting the Adventure (5 minutes)

Divide the students into small groups or pairs, depending on the class size. Provide each group with a game token or marker to represent their position in the maze. Explain the rules of the game and how to navigate through the maze.

Navigating the Maze (30 minutes)

Start the timer and allow the students to begin their “Math Maze Adventure.” They will roll the dice to determine how many spaces they can move in the maze. When they land on a space with a math problem, they must draw a problem card and solve it correctly to proceed.

Solving Math Problems (30 minutes)

As students encounter math problems in the maze, they will work together to solve them. Encourage them to discuss strategies, share ideas, and check each other’s work. If they solve the problem correctly, they can continue moving through the maze. If not, they must stay in place until they solve it.

Reaching the Endpoint (10 minutes)

The goal of the “Math Maze Adventure” is to reach the endpoint of the maze within a certain time limit. Students must use their problem-solving skills and teamwork to overcome obstacles and challenges along the way. If they reach the endpoint before time runs out, they win the game!

After completing the maze, gather the students together for a reflection and discussion. Ask them about their experience navigating through the maze, the math problems they encountered, and the strategies they used to solve them. Encourage them to share their insights and lessons learned.

Create multiple versions of the maze with different layouts and levels of difficulty to provide ongoing challenges for students.

Integrate storytelling elements into the maze adventure, with each space representing a different part of the story that unfolds as students progress.

Incorporate technology by using a digital maze app or online platform to create and navigate through virtual mazes with math challenges.

The “Math Maze Adventure” offers an exciting and interactive way for students to practice their problem-solving skills while embarking on a thrilling journey through a maze filled with mathematical challenges. Through teamwork, critical thinking, and perseverance, students will navigate their way to success!

Carpenter, T. P. (1989). ‘Teaching as problem solving’. In R.I.Charles and E.A. Silver (Eds), The Teaching and Assessing of Mathematical Problem Solving, (pp.187-202). USA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Clarke, D. and McDonough, A. (1989). ‘The problems of the problem solving classroom’, The Australian Mathematics Teacher, 45, 3, 20-24.

Cobb, P., Wood, T. and Yackel, E. (1991). ‘A constructivist approach to second grade mathematics’. In von Glaserfield, E. (Ed.), Radical Constructivism in Mathematics Education, pp. 157-176. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Cockcroft, W.H. (Ed.) (1982). Mathematics Counts. Report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Teaching of Mathematics in Schools, London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.

Evan, R. and Lappin, G. (1994). ‘Constructing meaningful understanding of mathematics content’, in Aichele, D. and Coxford, A. (Eds.) Professional Development for Teachers of Mathematics , pp. 128-143. Reston, Virginia: NCTM.

Gardner, Howard (1985). Frames of Mind. N.Y: Basic Books.

Lester, F.K.Jr., Masingila, J.O., Mau, S.T., Lambdin, D.V., dos Santon, V.M. and Raymond, A.M. (1994). ‘Learning how to teach via problem solving’. in Aichele, D. and Coxford, A. (Eds.) Professional Development for Teachers of Mathematics , pp. 152-166. Reston, Virginia: NCTM.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) (1980). An Agenda for Action: Recommendations for School Mathematics of the 1980s, Reston, Virginia: NCTM.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) (1989). Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics, Reston, Virginia: NCTM.

Olkin, I. & Schoenfeld, A. (1994). A discussion of Bruce Reznick’s chapter. In A. Schoenfeld (Ed.). Mathematical Thinking and Problem Solving. (pp. 39-51). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Polya, G. (1980). ‘On solving mathematical problems in high school’. In S. Krulik (Ed). Problem Solving in School Mathematics, (pp.1-2). Reston, Virginia: NCTM.

Resnick, L. B. (1987). ‘Learning in school and out’, Educational Researcher, 16, 13-20..

Romberg, T. (1994). Classroom instruction that fosters mathematical thinking and problem solving: connections between theory and practice. In A. Schoenfeld (Ed.). Mathematical Thinking and Problem Solving. (pp. 287-304). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Schifter, D. and Fosnot, C. (1993). Reconstructing Mathematics Education. NY: Teachers College Press.

Schoenfeld, A. (1994). Reflections on doing and teaching mathematics. In A. Schoenfeld (Ed.). Mathematical Thinking and Problem Solving. (pp. 53-69). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Stacey, K. and Groves, S. (1985). Strategies for Problem Solving, Melbourne, Victoria: VICTRACC.

Stanic, G. and Kilpatrick, J. (1989). ‘Historical perspectives on problem solving in the mathematics curriculum’. In R.I. Charles and E.A. Silver (Eds), The Teaching and Assessing of Mathematical Problem Solving, (pp.1-22). USA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Swafford, J.O. (1995). ‘Teacher preparation’. in Carl, I.M. (Ed.) Prospects for School Mathematics , pp. 157-174. Reston, Virginia: NCTM.

Thompson, P. W. (1985). ‘Experience, problem solving, and learning mathematics: considerations in developing mathematics curricula’. In E.A. Silver (Ed.), Teaching and Learning Mathematical Problem Solving: Multiple Research Perspectives, (pp.189-236). Hillsdale, N.J: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Van Zoest, L., Jones, G. and Thornton, C. (1994). ‘Beliefs about mathematics teaching held by pre-service teachers involved in a first grade mentorship program’. Mathematics Education Research Journal. 6(1): 37-55.

Related Article on Teaching Values | Other Articles

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DIGITAL GAMES

Problem-Solving Strategies

October 16, 2019

There are many different ways to solve a math problem, and equipping students with problem-solving strategies is just as important as teaching computation and algorithms. Problem-solving strategies help students visualize the problem or present the given information in a way that can lead them to the solution. Solving word problems using strategies works great as a number talks activity and helps to revise many skills.

Problem-solving strategies

1. create a diagram/picture, 2. guess and check., 3. make a table or a list., 4. logical reasoning., 5. find a pattern, 6. work backward, 1. create a diagram/draw a picture.

Creating a diagram helps students visualize the problem and reach the solution. A diagram can be a picture with labels, or a representation of the problem with objects that can be manipulated. Role-playing and acting out the problem like a story can help get to the solution.

Alice spent 3/4 of her babysitting money on comic books. She is left with $6. How much money did she make from babysitting?

2. Guess and check

Teach students the same strategy research mathematicians use.

With this strategy, students solve problems by making a reasonable guess depending on the information given. Then they check to see if the answer is correct and they improve it accordingly. By repeating this process, a student can arrive at a correct answer that has been checked. It is recommended that the students keep a record of their guesses by making a chart, a table or a list. This is a flexible strategy that works for many types of problems. When students are stuck, guessing and checking helps them start and explore the problem. However, there is a trap. Exactly because it is such a simple strategy to use, some students find it difficult to consider other strategies. As problems get more complicated, other strategies become more important and more effective.

Find two numbers that have sum 11 and product 24.

Try/guess 5 and 6 the product is 30 too high

adjust to 4 and 7 with product 28 still high

adjust again 3 and 8 product 24

3. Make a table or a list

Carefully organize the information on a table or list according to the problem information. It might be a table of numbers, a table with ticks and crosses to solve a logic problem or a list of possible answers. Seeing the given information sorted out on a table or a list will help find patterns and lead to the correct solution.

To make sure you are listing all the information correctly read the problem carefully.

Find the common factors of 24, 30 and 18

Logical reasoning is the process of using logical, systemic steps to arrive at a conclusion based on given facts and mathematic principles. Read and understand the problem. Then find the information that helps you start solving the problem. Continue with each piece of information and write possible answers.

Thomas, Helen, Bill, and Mary have cats that are black, brown, white, or gray. The cats’ names are Buddy, Lucky, Fifi, and Moo. Buddy is brown. Thoma’s cat, Lucky, is not gray. Helen’s cat is white but is not named Moo. The gray cat belongs to Bill. Which cat belongs to each student, and what is its color?

A table or list is useful in solving logic problems.


Thomas	Lucky	Not gray, the cat is black
Helen	Not Moo, not Buddy, not Lucky so Fifi	White
Bill	Moo	Gray
Mary	Buddy	Brown

Since Lucky is not gray it can be black or brown. However, Buddy is brown so Lucky has to be black.

Buddy is brown so it cannot be Helen’s cat. Helen’s cat cannot be Moo, Buddy or Lucky, so it is Fifi.

Therefore, Moo is Bill’s cat and Buddy is Mary’s cat.

5. Find a pattern.

Finding a pattern is a strategy in which students look for patterns in the given information in order to solve the problem. When the problem consists of data like numbers or events that are repeated then it can be solved using the “find a pattern” problem-solving strategy. Data can be organized in a table or a list to reveal the pattern and help discover the “rule” of the pattern.

The “rule” can then be used to find the answer to the question and complete the table/list.

Shannon’s Pizzeria made 5 pizzas on Sunday, 10 pizzas on Monday, 20 pizzas on Tuesday, and 40 pizzas on Wednesday. If this pattern continues, how many pizzas will the pizzeria make on Saturday?

Sunday	5
Monday	10
Tuesday	20
Wednesday	40
Thursday
Friday
Saturday

6. Working backward

Problems that can be solved with this strategy are the ones that list a series of events or a sequence of steps .

In this strategy, the students must start with the solution and work back to the beginning. Each operation must be reversed to get back to the beginning. So if working forwards requires addition, when students work backward they will need to subtract. And if they multiply working forwards, they must divide when working backward.

Mom bought a box of candy. Mary took 5 of them, Nick took 4 of them and 31 were given out on Halloween night. The next morning they found 8 pieces of candy in the box. How many candy pieces were in the box when mom bought it.

For this problem, we know that the final number of candy was 8, so if we work backward to “put back” the candy that was taken from the box we can reach the number of candy pieces that were in the box, to begin with.

The candy was taken away so we will normally subtract them. However, to get back to the original number of candy we need to work backward and do the opposite, which is to add them.

8 candy pieces were left + the 31 given out + plus the ones Mary took + the ones Nick took

8+31+5+4= 48 Answer: The box came with 48 pieces of candy.

Selecting the best strategy for a problem comes with practice and often problems will require the use of more than one strategies.

Print and digital activities

I have created a collection of print and digital activity cards and worksheets with word problems (print and google slides) to solve using the strategies above. The collection includes 70 problems (5 challenge ones) and their solution s and explanations.

sample below

How to use the activity cards

Allow the students to use manipulatives to solve the problems. (counters, shapes, lego blocks, Cuisenaire blocks, base 10 blocks, clocks) They can use manipulatives to create a picture and visualize the problem. They can use counters for the guess and check strategy. Discuss which strategy/strategies are better for solving each problem. Discuss the different ways. Use the activities as warm-ups, number talks, initiate discussions, group work, challenge, escape rooms, and more.

Ask your students to write their own problems using the problems in this resource, and more, as examples. Start with a simple type. Students learn a lot when trying to compose a problem. They can share the problem with their partner or the whole class. Make a collection of problems to share with another class.

For the google slides the students can use text boxes to explain their thinking with words, add shapes and lines to create diagrams, and add (insert) tables and diagrams.

Many of the problems can be solved faster by using algebraic expressions. However, since I created this resource for grades 4 and up I chose to show simple conceptual ways of solving the problems using the strategies above. You can suggest different ways of solving the problems based on the grade level.

Find the free and premium versions of the resource below. The premium version includes 70 problems (challenge problems included) and their solutions

There are 2 versions of the resource

70 google slides with explanations + 70 printable task cards

70 google slides with explanations + 11 worksheets

Multiplying fractions/mixed numbers/simplifying

Adding and subtracting fractions

AM/PM, 24-hour clock, Elapsed Time – ideas, games, and activities

Teaching area, ideas, games, print, and digital activities

Multi-Digit Multiplication, Area model, Partial Products algorithm, Puzzles, Word problems

Place Value – Representing and adding 2/3 digit numbers with manipulatives

Multiplication Mission – arrays, properties, multiples, factors, division

Fractions Games and activities – Equivalence, make 1, compare, add, subtract, like, unlike

Diving into Division -Teaching division conceptually

Expressions with arrays

Decimals, Decimal fractions, Percentages – print and digital

Solving Word Problems- Math talks-Strategies, Ideas and Activities-print and digital

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Math Problem Solving Strategies That Make Students Say “I Get It!”

Even students who are quick with math facts can get stuck when it comes to problem solving.

As soon as a concept is translated to a word problem, or a simple mathematical sentence contains an unknown, they’re stumped.

That’s because problem solving requires us to consciously choose the strategies most appropriate for the problem at hand . And not all students have this metacognitive ability.

But you can teach these strategies for problem solving. You just need to know what they are.

We’ve compiled them here divided into four categories:

Strategies for understanding a problem

Strategies for solving the problem, strategies for working out, strategies for checking the solution.

Get to know these strategies and then model them explicitly to your students. Next time they dive into a rich problem, they’ll be filling up their working out paper faster than ever!

Before students can solve a problem, they need to know what it’s asking them. This is often the first hurdle with word problems that don’t specify a particular mathematical operation.

Encourage your students to:

Read and reread the question

They say they’ve read it, but have they really ? Sometimes students will skip ahead as soon as they’ve noticed one familiar piece of information or give up trying to understand it if the problem doesn’t make sense at first glance.

Teach students to interpret a question by using self-monitoring strategies such as:

Rereading a question more slowly if it doesn’t make sense the first time
Asking for help
Highlighting or underlining important pieces of information.

Identify important and extraneous information

John is collecting money for his friend Ari’s birthday. He starts with $5 of his own, then Marcus gives him another $5. How much does he have now?

As adults looking at the above problem, we can instantly look past the names and the birthday scenario to see a simple addition problem. Students, however, can struggle to determine what’s relevant in the information that’s been given to them.

Teach students to sort and sift the information in a problem to find what’s relevant. A good way to do this is to have them swap out pieces of information to see if the solution changes. If changing names, items or scenarios has no impact on the end result, they’ll realize that it doesn’t need to be a point of focus while solving the problem.

Schema approach

This is a math intervention strategy that can make problem solving easier for all students, regardless of ability.

Compare different word problems of the same type and construct a formula, or mathematical sentence stem, that applies to them all. For example, a simple subtraction problems could be expressed as:

[Number/Quantity A] with [Number/Quantity B] removed becomes [end result].

This is the underlying procedure or schema students are being asked to use. Once they have a list of schema for different mathematical operations (addition, multiplication and so on), they can take turns to apply them to an unfamiliar word problem and see which one fits.

Struggling students often believe math is something you either do automatically or don’t do at all. But that’s not true. Help your students understand that they have a choice of problem-solving strategies to use, and if one doesn’t work, they can try another.

Here are four common strategies students can use for problem solving.

Visualizing

Visualizing an abstract problem often makes it easier to solve. Students could draw a picture or simply draw tally marks on a piece of working out paper.

Encourage visualization by modeling it on the whiteboard and providing graphic organizers that have space for students to draw before they write down the final number.

Guess and check

Show students how to make an educated guess and then plug this answer back into the original problem. If it doesn’t work, they can adjust their initial guess higher or lower accordingly.

Find a pattern

To find patterns, show students how to extract and list all the relevant facts in a problem so they can be easily compared. If they find a pattern, they’ll be able to locate the missing piece of information.

Work backward

Working backward is useful if students are tasked with finding an unknown number in a problem or mathematical sentence. For example, if the problem is 8 + x = 12, students can find x by:

Starting with 12
Taking the 8 from the 12
Being left with 4
Checking that 4 works when used instead of x

Now students have understood the problem and formulated a strategy, it’s time to put it into practice. But if they just launch in and do it, they might make it harder for themselves. Show them how to work through a problem effectively by:

Documenting working out

Model the process of writing down every step you take to complete a math problem and provide working out paper when students are solving a problem. This will allow students to keep track of their thoughts and pick up errors before they reach a final solution.

Check along the way

Checking work as you go is another crucial self-monitoring strategy for math learners. Model it to them with think aloud questions such as:

Does that last step look right?
Does this follow on from the step I took before?
Have I done any ‘smaller’ sums within the bigger problem that need checking?

Students often make the mistake of thinking that speed is everything in math — so they’ll rush to get an answer down and move on without checking.

But checking is important too. It allows them to pinpoint areas of difficulty as they come up, and it enables them to tackle more complex problems that require multiple checks before arriving at a final answer.

Here are some checking strategies you can promote:

Check with a partner

Comparing answers with a peer leads is a more reflective process than just receiving a tick from the teacher. If students have two different answers, encourage them to talk about how they arrived at them and compare working out methods. They’ll figure out exactly where they went wrong, and what they got right.

Reread the problem with your solution

Most of the time, students will be able to tell whether or not their answer is correct by putting it back into the initial problem. If it doesn’t work or it just ‘looks wrong’, it’s time to go back and fix it up.

Fixing mistakes

Show students how to backtrack through their working out to find the exact point where they made a mistake. Emphasize that they can’t do this if they haven’t written down everything in the first place — so a single answer with no working out isn’t as impressive as they might think!

Need more help developing problem solving skills?

Read up on how to set a problem solving and reasoning activity or explore Mathseeds and Mathletics, our award winning online math programs. They’ve got over 900 teacher tested problem solving activities between them!

Get access to 900+ unique problem solving activities

Using Mathematical Modeling to Get Real With Students

Unlike canned word problems, mathematical modeling plunges students into the messy complexities of real-world problem solving.

How do you bring math to life for kids? Illustrating the boundless possibilities of mathematics can be difficult if students are only asked to examine hypothetical situations like divvying up a dessert equally or determining how many apples are left after sharing with friends, writes third- and fourth- grade teacher Matthew Kandel for Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12 .

In the early years of instruction, it’s not uncommon for students to think they’re learning math for the sole purpose of being able to solve word problems or help fictional characters troubleshoot issues in their imaginary lives, Kandel says. “A word problem is a one-dimensional world,” he writes. “Everything is distilled down to the quantities of interest. To solve a word problem, students can pick out the numbers and decide on an operation.”

But through the use of mathematical modeling, students are plucked out of the hypothetical realm and plunged into the complexities of reality—presented with opportunities to help solve real-world problems with many variables by generating questions, making assumptions, learning and applying new skills, and ultimately arriving at an answer.

In Kandel’s classroom, this work begins with breaking students into small groups, providing them with an unsharpened pencil and a simple, guiding question: “How many times can a pencil be sharpened before it is too small to use?”

Setting the Stage for Inquiry

The process of tackling the pencil question is not unlike the scientific method. After defining a question to investigate, students begin to wonder and hypothesize—what information do we need to know?—in order to identify a course of action. This step is unique to mathematical modeling: Whereas a word problem is formulaic, leading students down a pre-existing path toward a solution, a modeling task is “free-range,” empowering students to use their individual perspectives to guide them as they progress through their investigation, Kandel says.

Modeling problems also have a number of variables, and students themselves have the agency to determine what to ignore and what to focus their attention on.

After inter-group discussions, students in Kandel’s classroom came to the conclusion that they’d need answers to a host of other questions to proceed with answering their initial inquiry:

How much does the pencil sharpener remove?
What is the length of a brand new, unsharpened pencil?
Does the pencil sharpener remove the same amount of pencil each time it is used?

Introducing New Skills in Context

Once students have determined the first mathematical question they’d like to tackle (does the pencil sharpener remove the same amount of pencil each time it is used?), they are met with a roadblock. How were they to measure the pencil if the length did not fall conveniently on an inch or half inch? Kandel took the opportunity to introduce a new target skill which the class could begin using immediately: measuring to the nearest quarter inch.

“One group of students was not satisfied with the precision of measuring to the nearest quarter inch and asked to learn how to measure to the nearest eighth of an inch,” Kandel explains. “The attention and motivation exhibited by students is unrivaled by the traditional class in which the skill comes first, the problem second.”

Students reached a consensus and settled on taking six measurements total: the initial length of the new, unsharpened pencil as well as the lengths of the pencil after each of five sharpenings. To ensure all students can practice their newly acquired skill, Kandel tells the class that “all group members must share responsibility, taking turns measuring and checking the measurements of others.”

Next, each group created a simple chart to record their measurements, then plotted their data as a line graph—though exploring other data visualization techniques or engaging students in alternative followup activities would work as well.

“We paused for a quick lesson on the number line and the introduction of a new term—mixed numbers,” Kandel explains. “Armed with this new information, students had no trouble marking their y-axis in half- or quarter-inch increments.”

Sparking Mathematical Discussions

Mathematical modeling presents a multitude of opportunities for class-wide or small-group discussions, some which evolve into debates in which students state their hypotheses, then subsequently continue working to confirm or refute them.

Kandel’s students, for example, had a wide range of opinions when it came to answering the question of how small of a pencil would be deemed unusable. Eventually, the class agreed that once a pencil reached 1 ¼ inch, it could no longer be sharpened—though some students said they would be able to still write with it.

“This discussion helped us better understand what it means to make an assumption and how our assumptions affected our mathematical outcomes,” Kandel writes. Students then indicated the minimum size with a horizontal line across their respective graphs.

Many students independently recognized the final step of extending their line while looking at their graphs. With each of the six points representing their measurements, the points descended downward toward the newly added horizontal “line of inoperability.”

With mathematical modeling, Kandel says, there are no right answers, only models that are “more or less closely aligned with real-world observations.” Each group of students may come to a different conclusion, which can lead to a larger class discussion about accuracy. To prove their group had the most accurate conclusion, students needed to compare and contrast their methods as well as defend their final result.

Developing Your Own Mathematical Models

The pencil problem is a great starting point for introducing mathematical modeling and free-range problem solving to your students, but you can customize based on what you have available and the particular needs of each group of students.

Depending on the type of pencil sharpener you have, for example, students can determine what constitutes a “fair test” and set the terms of their own inquiry.

Additionally, Kandel suggests putting scaffolds in place to allow students who are struggling with certain elements to participate: Simplified rulers can be provided for students who need accommodations; charts can be provided for students who struggle with data collection; graphs with prelabeled x- and y-axes can be prepared in advance.

.css-1sk4066:hover{background:#d1ecfa;} 7 Real-World Math Strategies

Students can also explore completely different free-range problem solving and real world applications for math . At North Agincourt Jr. Public School in Scarborough, Canada, kids in grades 1-6 learn to conduct water audits. By adding, subtracting, finding averages, and measuring liquids—like the flow rate of all the water foundations, toilets, and urinals—students measure the amount of water used in their school or home in a single day.

Or you can ask older students to bring in common household items—anything from a measuring cup to a recipe card—and identify three ways the item relates to math. At Woodrow Petty Elementary School in Taft, Texas, fifth-grade students display their chosen objects on the class’s “real-world math wall.” Even acting out restaurant scenarios can provide students with an opportunity to reinforce critical mathematical skills like addition and subtraction, while bolstering an understanding of decimals and percentages. At Suzhou Singapore International School in China, third- to fifth- graders role play with menus, ordering fictional meals and learning how to split the check when the bill arrives.

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Why It’s So Important to Learn a Problem-Solving Approach to Mathematics

was invited to the Math Olympiad Summer Program (MOP) in the 10th grade. I went to MOP certain that I must really be good at math. But in my five weeks at MOP, I encountered over sixty problems on various tests and I didn’t solve a single one. That’s right—I was 0-for-60+. I came away no longer confident that I was good at math. I assumed that most of the other kids did better at MOP because they knew more tricks than I did. My formula sheets were pretty thorough, but perhaps they were missing something. By the end of MOP, I had learned a somewhat unsettling truth. The others knew fewer tricks than I did, not more. They didn’t even have formula sheets!

At another contest later that summer, a younger student, Alex, from another school asked me for my formula sheets. In my local and state circles, students’ formula sheets were the source of knowledge, the source of power that fueled the top students and the top schools. They were studied, memorized, revered. But most of all, they were not shared. But when Alex asked for my formula sheets I remembered my experience at MOP and I realized that formula sheets are not really math . Memorizing formulas is no more mathematics than memorizing dates is history or memorizing spelling words is literature. I gave him the formula sheets. (Alex must later have learned also that the formula sheets were fool’s gold—he became a Rhodes scholar.)

The difference between MOP and many of these state and local contests I participated in was the difference between problem solving and what many people call mathematics. For these people, math is a series of tricks to use on a series of specific problems. Trick A is for Problem A, Trick B for Problem B, and so on. In this vein, school can become a routine of learn tricks for a week, use tricks on a test, forget most tricks quickly. The tricks get forgotten quickly primarily because there are so many of them, and also because the students don’t see how these ‘tricks’ are just extensions of a few basic principles.

I had painfully learned at MOP that true mathematics is not a process of memorizing formulas and applying them to problems tailor-made for those formulas. Instead, the successful mathematician possesses fewer tools, but knows how to apply them to a much broader range of problems. We use the term problem solving to distinguish this approach to mathematics from the memorize, use, forget approach.

After MOP I relearned math throughout high school. I was unaware that I was learning much more. When I got to Princeton I enrolled in organic chemistry. There were over 200 students in the course, and we quickly separated into two groups. One group understood that all we would be taught could largely be derived from a very small number of basic principles. We loved the class—it was a year-long exploration of where these fundamental concepts could take us. The other, much larger, group saw each new destination not as the result of a path from the building blocks, but as yet another place whose coordinates had to be memorized if ever they were to visit again. Almost to a student, the difference between those in the happy group and those in the struggling group was how they learned mathematics. The class seemingly involved no math at all, but those who took a memorization approach to math were doomed to do it again in chemistry. The skills the problem solvers developed in math transferred, and these students flourished.

We use math to teach problem solving because it is the most fundamental logical discipline. Not only is it the foundation upon which sciences are built, it is the clearest way to learn and understand how to develop a rigorous logical argument. There are no loopholes, there are no half-truths. The language of mathematics is as precise as it is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ (or ‘proven’ and ‘unproven’). Success and failure are immediate and indisputable; there isn’t room for subjectivity. This is not to say that those who cannot do math cannot solve problems. There are many paths to strong problem-solving skills. Mathematics is the shortest .

Problem solving is crucial in mathematics education because it transcends mathematics. By developing problem-solving skills, we learn not only how to tackle math problems, but also how to logically work our way through any problems we may face. The memorizer can only solve problems he has encountered already, but the problem solver can solve problems she’s never seen before. The problem solver is flexible; she can diversify. Above all, she can create .

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Mathematical Problem Solving in the Early Years: Developing Opportunities, Strategies and Confidence

familiar contexts
meaningful purposes
mathematical complexity.

which they understand - in familiar contexts,
where the outcomes matter to them - even if imaginary,
where they have control of the process,
involving mathematics with which they are confident.
taking some from one doll and giving to another, in several moves,
starting again and dealing, either in ones or twos,
taking two from each original doll and giving to the new doll,
collecting the biscuits and crumbling them into a heap, then sharing out handfuls of crumbs.

brute force: trying to hammer bits so that they fit,
local correction: adjusting one part, often creating a different problem,
dismantling: starting all over again,
holistic review: considering multiple relations or simultaneous adjustments e.g. repairing by insertion and reversal.
getting a feel for the problem, looking at it holistically, checking they have understood e.g. talking it through or asking questions;
planning, preparing and predicting outcomes e.g. gathering blocks together before building;
monitoring progress towards the goal e.g. checking that the bears will fit the houses;
being systematic, trying possibilities methodically without repetition, rather than at random, e.g. separating shapes tried from those not tried in a puzzle;
trying alternative approaches and evaluating strategies e.g. trying different positions for shapes;
refining and improving solutions e.g. solving a puzzle again in fewer moves (Gifford, 2005: 153).
Getting to grips: What are we trying to do?
Connecting to previous experience: Have we done anything like this before?
Planning: What do we need?
Considering alternative methods: Is there another way?
Monitoring progress: How does it look so far?
Evaluating solutions: Does it work? How can we check? Could we make it even better?

Construction - finding shapes which fit together or balance
Pattern-making - creating a rule to create a repeating pattern
Shape pictures - selecting shapes with properties to represent something
Puzzles - finding ways of fitting shapes to fit a puzzle
Role-play areas - working out how much to pay in a shop
Measuring tools - finding out how different kinds of scales work
Nesting, posting, ordering - especially if they are not obvious
Robots - e.g. beebots: directing and making routes
preparing, getting the right number e.g. scissors, paper for creative activities
sharing equal amounts e.g. at snack time
tidying up, checking nothing is lost
gardening and cooking e.g. working out how many bulbs to plant where, measuring amounts in a recipe using scales or jugs
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PE: organising in groups, timing and recording

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Math Strategies: Problem Solving by Finding a Pattern

One important math concept that children begin to learn and apply in elementary school is reading and using a table. This is essential knowledge, because we encounter tables of data all the time in our everyday lives! But it’s not just important that kids can read and answer questions based on information in a table, it’s also important that they know how to create their own table and then use it to solve problems, find patterns, graph equations, and so on. And while some may think of these as two different things, I think problem solving by making a table and finding a pattern go hand in hand!

This is such a useful math problem solving strategy! Kids can get so overwhelmed by math word problems, but helping them organize the information in a table and then find a pattern can make things easier!

–>Pssst! Do your kids need help making sense of and solving word problems? You might like this set of editable word problem solving templates ! Use these with any grade level, for any type of word problem :

Finding Patterns in Math Problems:

So when should kids use problem solving by finding a pattern ? Well, when the problem gives a set of data, or a pattern that is continuing and can be arranged in a table, it’s good to consider looking for the pattern and determining the “rule” of the pattern.

As I mentioned when I discussed problem solving by making a list , finding a pattern can be immensely helpful and save a lot of time when working on a word problem. Sometimes, however, a student may not recognize the pattern right away, or may get bogged down with all the details of the question.

Setting up a table and filling in the information given in the question is a great way to organize things and provide a visual so that the “rule” of the pattern can be determined. The “rule” can then be used to find the answer to the question. This removes the tedious work of completing a table, which is especially nice if a lot of computation is involved.

But a table is also great for kids who struggle with math, because it gives them a way to get to the solution even if they have a hard time finding the pattern, or aren’t confident that they are using the “rule” correctly.

Because even though using a known pattern can save you time, and eliminate the need to fill out the entire table, it’s not necessary. A student who is unsure could simply continue filling out their table until they reach the solution they’re looking for.

Helping students learn how to set up a table is also helpful because they can use it to organize information (much like making a list) even if there isn’t a pattern to be found, because it can be done in a systematic way, ensuring that nothing is left out.

If your students are just learning how to read and create tables, I would suggest having them circle their answer in the table to show that they understood the question and knew where in the table to find the answer.

If you have older students, encourage them to find a pattern in the table and explain it in words , and then also with mathematical symbols and/or an equation. This will help them form connections and increase number sense. It will also help them see how to use their “rule” or equation to solve the given question as well as make predictions about the data.

It’s also important for students to consider whether or not their pattern will continue predictably . In some instances, the pattern may look one way for the first few entries, then change, so this is important to consider as the problems get more challenging.

There are tons of examples of problems where creating a table and finding a pattern is a useful strategy, but here’s just one example for you:

Ben decides to prepare for a marathon by running ten minutes a day, six days a week. Each week, he increases his time running by two minutes per day. How many minutes will he run in week 8?

Included in the table is the week number (we’re looking at weeks 1-8), as well as the number of minutes per day and the total minutes for the week. The first step is to fill in the first couple of weeks by calculating the total time.

Making a table and finding a pattern is an excellent math problem solving strategy! This is a great example!

Once you’ve found weeks 1-3, you may see a pattern and be able to calculate the total minutes for week 8. For example, in this case, the total number of minutes increases by 12 each week, meaning in week 8 he will run for 144 minutes.

If not, however, simply continue with the table until you get to week 8, and then you will have your answer.

I think it is especially important to make it clear to students that it is perfectly acceptable to complete the entire table (or continue a given table) if they don’t see or don’t know how to use the pattern to solve the problem.

I was working with a student once and she was given a table, but was then asked a question about information not included in that table . She was able to tell me the pattern she saw, but wasn’t able to correctly use the “rule” to find the answer. I insisted that she simply extend the table until she found what she needed. Then I showed her how to use the “rule” of the pattern to get the same answer.

I hope you find this helpful! Looking for and finding patterns is such an essential part of mathematics education! If you’re looking for more ideas for exploring patterns with younger kids, check out this post for making patterns with Skittles candy .

And of course, don’t miss the other posts in this Math Problem Solving Series:

Problem Solving by Solving an Easier Problem
Problem Solving by Drawing a Picture
Problem Solving by Working Backwards
Problem Solving by Making a List

One Comment

I had so much trouble spotting patterns when I was in school. Fortunately for her, my daughter rocks at it! This technique will be helpful for her when she’s a bit older! #ThoughtfulSpot

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Approach word problems with a positive attitude
Use a problem-solving strategy for word problems
Solve number problems

Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.

Translate “6 less than twice x ” into an algebraic expression. If you missed this problem, review Exercise 1.3.43 .
Solve: $\frac{2}{3}x=24$. If you missed this problem, review Exercise 2.2.10 .
Solve: $3x+8=14$. If you missed this problem, review Exercise 2.3.1 .

Approach Word Problems with a Positive Attitude

“If you think you can… or think you can’t… you’re right.”—Henry Ford

The world is full of word problems! Will my income qualify me to rent that apartment? How much punch do I need to make for the party? What size diamond can I afford to buy my girlfriend? Should I fly or drive to my family reunion? How much money do I need to fill the car with gas? How much tip should I leave at a restaurant? How many socks should I pack for vacation? What size turkey do I need to buy for Thanksgiving dinner, and then what time do I need to put it in the oven? If my sister and I buy our mother a present, how much does each of us pay?

Now that we can solve equations, we are ready to apply our new skills to word problems. Do you know anyone who has had negative experiences in the past with word problems? Have you ever had thoughts like the student below (Figure $\PageIndex{1}$)?

$A student is shown with thought bubbles saying “I don’t know whether to add, subtract, multiply, or divide!,” “I don’t understand word problems!,” “My teachers never explained this!,” “If I just skip all the word problems, I can probably still pass the class,” and “I just can’t do this!”$

When we feel we have no control, and continue repeating negative thoughts, we set up barriers to success. We need to calm our fears and change our negative feelings.

Start with a fresh slate and begin to think positive thoughts. If we take control and believe we can be successful, we will be able to master word problems! Read the positive thoughts in Figure $\PageIndex{2}$ and say them out loud.

$A student is shown with thought bubbles saying “While word problems were hard in the past, I think I can try them now,” “I am better prepared now. I think I will begin to understand word problems,” “I think I can! I think I can!,” and “It may take time, but I can begin to solve word problems.”$

Think of something, outside of school, that you can do now but couldn’t do 3 years ago. Is it driving a car? Snowboarding? Cooking a gourmet meal? Speaking a new language? Your past experiences with word problems happened when you were younger—now you’re older and ready to succeed!

Use a Problem-Solving Strategy for Word Problems

We have reviewed translating English phrases into algebraic expressions, using some basic mathematical vocabulary and symbols. We have also translated English sentences into algebraic equations and solved some word problems. The word problems applied math to everyday situations. We restated the situation in one sentence, assigned a variable, and then wrote an equation to solve the problem. This method works as long as the situation is familiar and the math is not too complicated.

Now, we’ll expand our strategy so we can use it to successfully solve any word problem. We’ll list the strategy here, and then we’ll use it to solve some problems. We summarize below an effective strategy for problem solving.

USE A PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGY TO SOLVE WORD PROBLEMS.

Read the problem. Make sure all the words and ideas are understood.
Identify what we are looking for.
Name what we are looking for. Choose a variable to represent that quantity.
Translate into an equation. It may be helpful to restate the problem in one sentence with all the important information. Then, translate the English sentence into an algebraic equation.
Solve the equation using good algebra techniques.
Check the answer in the problem and make sure it makes sense.
Answer the question with a complete sentence.

Example $\PageIndex{1}$

Pilar bought a purse on sale for $$18$, which is one-half of the original price. What was the original price of the purse?

Step 1. Read the problem. Read the problem two or more times if necessary. Look up any unfamiliar words in a dictionary or on the internet.

Let p = the original price of the purse.

Step 2. Identify what you are looking for. Did you ever go into your bedroom to get something and then forget what you were looking for? It’s hard to find something if you are not sure what it is! Read the problem again and look for words that tell you what you are looking for!

In this problem, the words “what was the original price of the purse” tell us what we need to find.

Step 3. Name what we are looking for. Choose a variable to represent that quantity. We can use any letter for the variable, but choose one that makes it easy to remember what it represents.

Step 4. Translate into an equation. It may be helpful to restate the problem in one sentence with all the important information. Translate the English sentence into an algebraic equation.

Reread the problem carefully to see how the given information is related. Often, there is one sentence that gives this information, or it may help to write one sentence with all the important information. Look for clue words to help translate the sentence into algebra. Translate the sentence into an equation.

Restate the problem in one sentence with all the important information.	$\color{cyan} \underbrace{\strut \color{black}\mathbf{18}} \quad \underbrace{\strut \color{black}\textbf{ is }} \quad \underbrace{\color{black}\textbf{one-half the original price.}}$
Translate into an equation.	$18 \qquad = \qquad \qquad \qquad \frac{1}{2}\cdot p$

Step 5. Solve the equation using good algebraic techniques. Even if you know the solution right away, using good algebraic techniques here will better prepare you to solve problems that do not have obvious answers.

Solve the equation.	$18 = \frac{1}{2}p$
Multiply both sides by 2.	$ {\color{red}{2}}\cdot 18 = {\color{red}{2}}\cdot \frac{1}{2}p $
Simplify.	$36 = p$

Step 6. Check the answer in the problem to make sure it makes sense. We solved the equation and found that $p=36$,which means “the original price” was $$36$.

If this were a homework exercise, our work might look like this:

Pilar bought a purse on sale for $$18$, which is one-half the original price. What was the original price of the purse?

Step 7. Answer the question with a complete sentence. The problem asked “What was the original price of the purse?”

	Let $p =$ the original price.
	$18$ is one-half the original price.
	$18 = \frac{1}{2}p$
Multiply both sides by $2$.	$ {\color{red}{2}}\cdot 18 = {\color{red}{2}}\cdot \frac{1}{2}p $
Simplify.	$36 = p$
Check. Is $$36$ a reasonable price for a purse?
Yes.
Is $18$ one half of $36$?
$18 \stackrel{?}{=} \frac{1}{2}\cdot 36$
$18 = 18\checkmark$
	The original price of the purse was $$36$.

Try It $\PageIndex{2}$

Joaquin bought a bookcase on sale for $$120$, which was two-thirds of the original price. What was the original price of the bookcase?

Try It $\PageIndex{3}$

Two-fifths of the songs in Mariel’s playlist are country. If there are $16$ country songs, what is the total number of songs in the playlist?

Let’s try this approach with another example.

Example $\PageIndex{4}$

Ginny and her classmates formed a study group. The number of girls in the study group was three more than twice the number of boys. There were $11$ girls in the study group. How many boys were in the study group?

the problem.
what we are looking for.	How many boys were in the study group?
Choose a variable to represent the number of boys.	Let $n=$ the number of boys.
Restate the problem in one sentence with all the important information.	$\color{cyan} \underbrace{\color{black}\textbf{The number}\\ \color{black}\textbf{of girls}(11)} \quad \underbrace{\strut \text{ } \\ \color{black}\textbf{was}} \quad \underbrace{\color{black}\textbf{three more than}\\ \color{black}\textbf{twice the number of boys}}$
Translate into an equation.	$\qquad 11 \qquad \quad = \qquad \qquad \quad 2b + 3$
the equation.	$\quad 11 = 2b + 3 $
Subtract 3 from each side.	$\quad 11 \,{\color{red}{- \,3}} = 2b + 3 \,{\color{red}{- \,3}} $
Simplify.	$\quad 8 = 2b $
Divide each side by 2.	$ \quad \dfrac{8}{\color{red}{2}}=\dfrac{2b}{\color{red}{2}} $
Simplify.	$\quad 4 = b$
First, is our answer reasonable? Yes, having $4$ boys in a study group seems OK. The problem says the number of girls was $3$ more than twice the number of boys. If there are four boys, does that make eleven girls? Twice $4$ boys is $8$. Three more than $8$ is $11$.
the question.	There were $4$ boys in the study group.

Try It $\PageIndex{5}$

Guillermo bought textbooks and notebooks at the bookstore. The number of textbooks was $3$ more than twice the number of notebooks. He bought $7$ textbooks. How many notebooks did he buy?

Try It $\PageIndex{6}$

Gerry worked Sudoku puzzles and crossword puzzles this week. The number of Sudoku puzzles he completed is eight more than twice the number of crossword puzzles. He completed $22$ Sudoku puzzles. How many crossword puzzles did he do?

Solve Number Problems

Now that we have a problem solving strategy, we will use it on several different types of word problems. The first type we will work on is “number problems.” Number problems give some clues about one or more numbers. We use these clues to write an equation. Number problems don’t usually arise on an everyday basis, but they provide a good introduction to practicing the problem solving strategy outlined above.

Example $\PageIndex{7}$

The difference of a number and six is $13$. Find the number.

the problem. Are all the words familiar?
what we are looking for.	the number
Choose a variable to represent the number.	Let $n=$ the number.
Remember to look for clue words like "difference... of... and..."
Restate the problem as one sentence.	$\color{cyan} \underbrace{\color{black}\textbf{The difference of the number and }\mathbf{6}} \quad \underbrace{\strut \color{black}\textbf{ is }} \quad \underbrace{\strut \color{black}\mathbf{13}}$
Translate into an equation.	$\qquad \qquad \qquad n-6 \qquad \qquad \qquad \quad = \quad 13$
the equation.	$\quad n - 6 = 13$
Simplify.	$\quad n =19$

The difference of $19$ and $6$ is $13$. It checks!
the question.	The number is $19$.

Try It $\PageIndex{8}$

The difference of a number and eight is $17$. Find the number.

Try It $\PageIndex{9}$

The difference of a number and eleven is $−7$. Find the number.

Example $\PageIndex{10}$

The sum of twice a number and seven is $15$. Find the number.

the problem.
what we are looking for.	the number
Choose a variable to represent the number.	Let $n =$ the number.

Restate the problem as one sentence.
Translate into an equation.
the equation.
Subtract 7 from each side and simplify.
Divide each side by 2 and simplify.

Is the sum of twice 4 and 7 equal to 15?
$\begin{array} {rrl} {2\cdot 4 + 7} &{\stackrel{?}{=}}& {15} \\ {15} &{=} &{15\checkmark} \end{array}$
the question.	The number is $4$.

Try It $\PageIndex{11}$

The sum of four times a number and two is $14$. Find the number.

Try It $\PageIndex{12}$

The sum of three times a number and seven is $25$. Find the number.

Some number word problems ask us to find two or more numbers. It may be tempting to name them all with different variables, but so far we have only solved equations with one variable. In order to avoid using more than one variable, we will define the numbers in terms of the same variable. Be sure to read the problem carefully to discover how all the numbers relate to each other.

Example $\PageIndex{13}$

One number is five more than another. The sum of the numbers is 21. Find the numbers.

the problem.
what we are looking for.		We are looking for two numbers.
We have two numbers to name and need a name for each.
Choose a variable to represent the first number.		Let $n=1^{st}$ number.
What do we know about the second number?		One number is five more than another.
		$n+5=2^{nd}$ number
Restate the problem as one sentence with all the important information.		The sum of the 1 number and the 2 number is 21.
Translate into an equation.
Substitute the variable expressions.
the equation.
Combine like terms.
Subtract 5 from both sides and simplify.
Divide by 2 and simplify.
Find the second number, too.



Do these numbers check in the problem?
Is one number $5$ more than the other?	$13\stackrel{?}{=} 8 + 5$
Is thirteen $5$ more than $8$? Yes.	$13 = 13\checkmark$
Is the sum of the two numbers $21$?	$8 + 13 \stackrel{?}{=} 21$
	$21 = 21\checkmark$
the question.		The numbers are $8$ and $13$.

Try It $\PageIndex{14}$

One number is six more than another. The sum of the numbers is twenty-four. Find the numbers.

Try It $\PageIndex{15}$

The sum of two numbers is fifty-eight. One number is four more than the other. Find the numbers.

Example $\PageIndex{16}$

The sum of two numbers is negative fourteen. One number is four less than the other. Find the numbers.

the problem.
what we are looking for.		We are looking for two numbers.

Choose a variable.		Let $n=1^{st}$ number.
One number is 4 less than the other.		$n−4=2^{nd}$ number

Write as one sentence.		The sum of the 2 numbers is negative 14.
Translate into an equation.
the equation.
Combine like terms.
Add 4 to each side and simplify.
Simplify.





Is −9 four less than −5?	$-5-4\stackrel{?}{=}-9$
	$-9 = -9 \checkmark$
Is their sum −14?	$-5+ (-9)\stackrel{?}{=}-14$
	$-14 = -14 \checkmark$
the question.		The numbers are −5 and −9.

Try It $\PageIndex{17}$

The sum of two numbers is negative twenty-three. One number is seven less than the other. Find the numbers.

Try It $\PageIndex{18}$

The sum of two numbers is $−18$. One number is $40$ more than the other. Find the numbers.

Example $\PageIndex{19}$

One number is ten more than twice another. Their sum is one. Find the numbers.

the problem.
what you are looking for.		We are looking for two numbers.

Choose a variable.		Let $x=1^{st}$ number.
One number is 10 more than twice another.		$2x+10=2^{nd}$ number

Restate as one sentence.		Their sum is one.
		The sum of the two numbers is 1.
Translate into an equation.
the equation.
Combine like terms.
Subtract 10 from each side.
Divide each side by 3.





Is ten more than twice −3 equal to 4?	$2(-3) + 10 \stackrel{?}{=} 4$
	$-6 + 10 \stackrel{?}{=} 4$
	$4 = 4\checkmark$
Is their sum 1?	$-3 + 4 \stackrel{?}{=} 1$
	$1 = 1\checkmark$
the question.		The numbers are −3 and 4.

Try It $\PageIndex{20}$

One number is eight more than twice another. Their sum is negative four. Find the numbers.

$-4,\; 0$

Try It $\PageIndex{21}$

One number is three more than three times another. Their sum is $−5$. Find the numbers.

$-3,\; -2$

Some number problems involve consecutive integers. Consecutive integers are integers that immediately follow each other. Examples of consecutive integers are:

\[\begin{array}{l}{1,2,3,4} \\ {-10,-9,-8,-7} \\ {150,151,152,153}\end{array}\]

Notice that each number is one more than the number preceding it. So if we define the first integer as $n$, the next consecutive integer is $n+1$. The one after that is one more than $n+1$, so it is $n+1+1$, which is $n+2$. \[\begin{array}{ll}{n} & {1^{\text { st }} \text { integer }} \\ {n+1} & {2^{\text { nd }} \text { consecutive integer }} \\ {n+2} & {3^{\text { rd }} \text { consecutive integer } \ldots \text { etc. }}\end{array}\]

Example $\PageIndex{22}$

The sum of two consecutive integers is $47$. Find the numbers.

the problem.
what you are looking for.	two consecutive integers
each number.	Let $n=1^{st}$ integer.
	$n+1=$ next consecutive integer

Restate as one sentence.	The sum of the integers is $47$.
Translate into an equation.
the equation.
Combine like terms.
Subtract 1 from each side.
Divide each side by 2.




$\begin{array} {lll} {23 + 24} &{\stackrel{?}{=}} &{47} \\ {47} &{=} &{47\checkmark} \end{array}$
the question.	The two consecutive integers are 23 and 24.

Try It $\PageIndex{23}$

The sum of two consecutive integers is 95. Find the numbers.

Try It $\PageIndex{24}$

The sum of two consecutive integers is −31. Find the numbers.

Example $\PageIndex{25}$

Find three consecutive integers whose sum is −42.

the problem.
what we are looking for.	three consecutive integers
each of the three numbers.	Let $n=1^{st}$ integer.
	$n+1= 2^{nd}$ consecutive integer
	$n+2= 3^{rd}$ consecutive integer

Restate as one sentence.	The sum of the three integers is $−42$.
Translate into an equation.
the equation.
Combine like terms.
Subtract 3 from each side.
Divide each side by 3.







$\begin{array}{lll} {-13 + (-14) + (-15)} &{\stackrel{?}{=}} &{-42} \\ {-42} &{=} &{-42\checkmark} \end{array}$
the question.	The three consecutive integers are −13, −14, and −15.

Try It $\PageIndex{26}$

Find three consecutive integers whose sum is −96.

-33, -32, -31

Try It $\PageIndex{27}$

Find three consecutive integers whose sum is −36.

-13, -12, -11

Now that we have worked with consecutive integers, we will expand our work to include consecutive even integers and consecutive odd integers. Consecutive even integers are even integers that immediately follow one another. Examples of consecutive even integers are:

\[\begin{array}{l}{18,20,22} \\ {64,66,68} \\ {-12,-10,-8}\end{array}\]

Notice each integer is $2$ more than the number preceding it. If we call the first one $n$, then the next one is $n+2$. The next one would be $n+2+2$ or $n+4$. \[\begin{array}{cll}{n} & {1^{\text { st }} \text { even integer }} \\ {n+2} & {2^{\text { nd }} \text { consecutive even integer }} \\ {n+4} & {3^{\text { rd }} \text { consecutive even integer } \ldots \text { etc. }}\end{array}\]

Consecutive odd integers are odd integers that immediately follow one another. Consider the consecutive odd integers $77$, $79$, and $81$.

\[\begin{array}{l}{77,79,81} \\ {n, n+2, n+4}\end{array}\]

\[\begin{array}{cll}{n} & {1^{\text { st }} \text {odd integer }} \\ {n+2} & {2^{\text { nd }} \text { consecutive odd integer }} \\ {n+4} & {3^{\text { rd }} \text { consecutive odd integer } \ldots \text { etc. }}\end{array}\]

Does it seem strange to add 2 (an even number) to get from one odd integer to the next? Do you get an odd number or an even number when we add 2 to 3? to 11? to 47?

Whether the problem asks for consecutive even numbers or odd numbers, you don’t have to do anything different. The pattern is still the same—to get from one odd or one even integer to the next, add 2.

Example $\PageIndex{28}$

Find three consecutive even integers whose sum is 84.

\[\begin{array}{ll} {\textbf{Step 1. Read} \text{ the problem.}} & {} \\ {\textbf{Step 2. Identify} \text{ what we are looking for.}} & {\text{three consecutive even integers}} \\ {\textbf{Step 3. Name} \text{ the integers.}} & {\text{Let } n = 1^{st} \text{ even integers.}} \\ {} &{n + 2 = 2^{nd} \text{ consecutive even integer}} \\ {} &{n + 4 = 3^{rd} \text{ consecutive even integer}} \\ {\textbf{Step 4. Translate.}} &{} \\ {\text{ Restate as one sentence. }} &{\text{The sum of the three even integers is 84.}} \\ {\text{Translate into an equation.}} &{n + n + 2 + n + 4 = 84} \\ {\textbf{Step 5. Solve} \text{ the equation. }} &{} \\ {\text{Combine like terms.}} &{n + n + 2 + n + 4 = 84} \\ {\text{Subtract 6 from each side.}} &{3n + 6 = 84} \\ {\text{Divide each side by 3.}} &{3n = 78} \\ {} &{n = 26 \space 1^{st} \text{ integer}} \\\\ {} &{n + 2\space 2^{nd} \text{ integer}} \\ {} &{26 + 2} \\ {} &{28} \\\\ {} &{n + 4\space 3^{rd} \text{ integer}} \\ {} &{26 + 4} \\ {} &{30} \\ {\textbf{Step 6. Check.}} &{} \\\\ {26 + 28 + 30 \stackrel{?}{=} 84} &{} \\ {84 = 84 \checkmark} & {} \\ {\textbf{Step 7. Answer} \text{ the question.}} &{\text{The three consecutive integers are 26, 28, and 30.}} \end{array}\]

Try It $\PageIndex{29}$

Find three consecutive even integers whose sum is 102.

Try It $\PageIndex{30}$

Find three consecutive even integers whose sum is −24.

−10,−8,−6

Example $\PageIndex{31}$

A married couple together earns $110,000 a year. The wife earns $16,000 less than twice what her husband earns. What does the husband earn?

the problem.
what we are looking for.	How much does the husband earn?
.
Choose a variable to represent the amount the husband earns.	Let $h=$ the amount the husband earns.
The wife earns $$16,000$ less than twice that.	$2h−16,000$ the amount the wife earns.
	Together the husband and wife earn $$110,000$.
Restate the problem in one sentence with all the important information.
Translate into an equation.
the equation.	$h + 2h − 16,000 = 110,000$
Combine like terms.	$3h − 16,000 = 110,000$
Add $16,000$ to both sides and simplify.	$3h = 126,000$
Divide each side by $3$.	$h = 42,000$
	$$42,000$ amount husband earns
	$2h − 16,000$ amount wife earns
	$2(42,000) − 16,000$
	$84,000 − 16,000$
	$68,000$

If the wife earns $$68,000 $ and the husband earns $$42,000 $ is the total $$110,000 $ ? Yes!
the question.	The husband earns $$42,000 $ a year.

Try It $\PageIndex{32}$

According to the National Automobile Dealers Association, the average cost of a car in 2014 was $28,500. This was $1,500 less than 6 times the cost in 1975. What was the average cost of a car in 1975?

Try It $\PageIndex{33}$

U.S. Census data shows that the median price of new home in the United States in November 2014 was $280,900. This was $10,700 more than 14 times the price in November 1964. What was the median price of a new home in November 1964?

Key Concepts

Translate into an equation. It may be helpful to restate the problem in one sentence with all the important information. Then, translate the English sentence into an algebra equation.

\[\begin{array}{cc}{n} & {1^{\text { st }} \text { integer }} \\ {n+1} & {2^{\text { nd }} \text {consecutive integer }} \\ {n+2} & {3^{\text { rd }} \text { consecutive integer } \ldots \text { etc. }}\end{array}\]

\[\begin{array}{cc}{n} & {1^{\text { st }} \text { integer }} \\ {n+2} & {2^{\text { nd }} \text { consecutive even integer }} \\ {n+4} & {3^{\text { rd }} \text { consecutive even integer } \ldots \text { etc. }}\end{array}\]

\[\begin{array}{cc}{n} & {1^{\text { st }} \text { integer }} \\ {n+2} & {2^{\text { nd }} \text { consecutive odd integer }} \\ {n+4} & {3^{\text { rd }} \text { consecutive odd integer } \ldots \text { etc. }}\end{array}\]

Please ensure that your password is at least 8 characters and contains each of the following:

a special character: @$#!%*?&

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Discover Frequently Asked Math Questions and Their Answers

How do you simplify square root of three to the 15th power?
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15% of what number is 3?
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How do you know when to not use L'hospital's rule?
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How do you show whether the improper integral #int 1/ (1+x^2) dx# converges or diverges from negative infinity to infinity?
How do you determine whether the sequence #a_n=(2^n+3^n)/(2^n-3^n)# converges, if so how do you find the limit?
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A triangle has corners at #(3 , 4 )#, #(6 ,7 )#, and #(5 ,8 )#. What is the radius of the triangle's inscribed circle?
Circle A has a center at #(3 ,7 )# and a radius of #1 #. Circle B has a center at #(1 ,3 )# and a radius of #6 #. Do the circles overlap? If not, what is the smallest distance between them?
Circle A has a center at #(-2 ,-1 )# and a radius of #3 #. Circle B has a center at #(-8 ,3 )# and a radius of #2 #. Do the circles overlap? If not what is the smallest distance between them?
S is the midpoint of RT. R has coordinates (-6, -1), and S has coordinates (-1, 1) . What are the coordinates of T? thank you sooo much :]]?
What is the definition of a coordinate proof? And what is an example?
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A circle has a center that falls on the line #y = 4/7x +6 # and passes through # ( 2 ,1 )# and #(3 ,5 )#. What is the equation of the circle?
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In a circle of radius #'r'#, chords of lengths #a# and #b# cms, subtend angles #q# and #3q# respectively at the centre, then #r = asqrt(a/(2a-b))# cm. True or False?
In the figure, YX−→− is a tangent to circle O at point X. mXB=52∘ mXA=104∘ What is the measure of ∠XYA ?
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What is the place value of 7 in 0.708?
How do you put the following numbers in ascending order:0.4, 3/8, 35%, 12/25?
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Maya ate 0.4 of her 8 inch pie. Nicole ate 0.5 of her 8 inch pie. How much more did Nicole eat than Maya?
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How do you solve #8(4^(6-2x))+13=41#?
How do you solve #(t-3)/(t+6)>0# using a sign chart?
How do you solve #log (x + 3) = log (6) - log (2x-1)#?
How do you condense #3 ln x + 5 ln y – 6 ln z#?
How do you solve #2^x = 10#?
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What is the complex conjugate of #3i#?
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For a Gallup poll, #M# is the event of randomly selecting a male, and #R# is the event of randomly selecting a Republican. Are events #M# and #R# disjoint? Why or why not?
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Why must the R-Squared value of a regression be less than 1?
What does Welch's t-test measure?
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How do you verify #sec^2 x/ tan x = sec x csc x#?
How do you prove #cosA/(1-tanA) = (sinA)/(1-cotA)#?
How do you simplify #1/cosx#?
How do you graph # y=2sin(x/3)#?
How do you find the amplitude, period, phase shift given #y=-sin(5x+3)#?
Which of the following functions has a domain of all there real numbers?
How do you prove sin(-a) = sin(360°-a) = -sin a?

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iOS 18 hidden feature: iPhones can do math calculations on any text field!

Published on 54 minutes ago

People using an Apple iPhone stock photo 12

iOS 18 can do math calculations within any text field, using the keyboard.
Apple’s iOS 18 will become available publicly this Fall, 2024.

Apple’s iOS 18 developer beta software became available soon after the WWDC 2024 event. We actually tested it already , if you’re interested. Many users who dare venture into this experimental software are finding even more improvements Apple didn’t even cover in its announcement, such as this one.

X user @rjonesy discovered that iOS 18 allows you to do math calculations within any text field, using the keyboard. So, when you’re chatting with a friend and need to handle some math, you no longer need to look for the calculator app. Just type the problem right into the same text field, and iOS 18 will give you the solution. You can then opt to show just the final answer, or display the whole math problem along with the answer. You can see a sample in the image below.

$iOS 18 math on text field by X user @rjonesy$

I don’t know about you guys, but this WWDC 2024 actually made me feel a bit jealous of iPhone users. While some of the new iOS 18 features seemed old to us Android loyalists, others were quite interesting. This is definitely one of them.

It seems Apple is paying more attention to its math capabilities now. For example, we were also quite surprised by the new Math Notes calculator app for iPadOS, which allows you to draw math problems to get an answer. You can take a closer look at this in our iPadOS 18 hands-on article .

Are you wondering when you’ll be able to do math problems from anywhere you can use the keyboard? The developer beta software is out, but we advise against using it unless you are an actual developer. A general beta will come next month, in July. But if you want to play it safe, just wait for the Fall release of iOS 18. Until then, you can check if your iPhone will get the update .

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	Let \(p =\) the original price.
	\(18\) is one-half the original price.
	\(18 = \frac{1}{2}p\)
Multiply both sides by \(2\).	\( {\color{red}{2}}\cdot 18 = {\color{red}{2}}\cdot \frac{1}{2}p \)
Simplify.	\(36 = p\)
Check. Is \($36\) a reasonable price for a purse?
Yes.
Is \(18\) one half of \(36\)?
\(18 \stackrel{?}{=} \frac{1}{2}\cdot 36\)
\(18 = 18\checkmark\)
	The original price of the purse was \($36\).

the problem.
what we are looking for.	How much does the husband earn?
.
Choose a variable to represent the amount the husband earns.	Let \(h=\) the amount the husband earns.
The wife earns \($16,000\) less than twice that.	\(2h−16,000\) the amount the wife earns.
	Together the husband and wife earn \($110,000\).
Restate the problem in one sentence with all the important information.
Translate into an equation.
the equation.	\(h + 2h − 16,000 = 110,000\)
Combine like terms.	\(3h − 16,000 = 110,000\)
Add \(16,000\) to both sides and simplify.	\(3h = 126,000\)
Divide each side by \(3\).	\(h = 42,000\)
	\($42,000\) amount husband earns
	\(2h − 16,000\) amount wife earns
	\(2(42,000) − 16,000\)
	\(84,000 − 16,000\)
	\(68,000\)

If the wife earns \($68,000 \) and the husband earns \($42,000 \) is the total \($110,000 \) ? Yes!
the question.	The husband earns \($42,000 \) a year.

20 Effective Math Strategies To Approach Problem-Solving

What are problem-solving strategies?

20 Math Strategies For Problem-Solving

Strategies to understand the problem

1. Read the problem aloud

2. Highlight keywords

3. Summarize the information

4. Determine the unknown

5. Make a plan

Strategies for solving the problem

2. Act it out

3. Work backwards

4. Write a number sentence

5. Use a formula

Strategies for checking the solution

1. Use the Inverse Operation

2. Estimate to check for reasonableness

3. Plug-In Method

4. Peer Review

5. Use a Calculator

Step-by-step problem-solving processes for your classroom

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Math Problem Solving Strategies

Problem Solving Strategies

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Problem Solving Strategy: Guess And Check

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Find A Pattern Model (Intermediate)

The following are some other examples of problem solving strategies.

5 Teaching Mathematics Through Problem Solving

Mathematics Tasks and Activities that Promote Teaching through Problem Solving

Choosing the Right Task

Low Floor High Ceiling Tasks

Math in 3-Acts

Number Talks

Saying “This is Easy”

Using “Worksheets”

Share This Book

Problem Solving Activities: 7 Strategies

When I Finally Saw the Light

Problem Solving Activities

Seasonal Problem Solving

Cooperative Problem Solving Tasks

Notice and Wonder

Math Starters

Calculators

Three-Act Math Tasks

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Shametria Routt Banks

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Mathematics Through Problem Solving

Example #1 – Mathematical Treasure Hunt

Example #2 – Math Maze Adventure

Problem-Solving Strategies

Problem-solving strategies

2. Guess and check

3. Make a table or a list

5. Find a pattern.

6. Working backward

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Multiplying fractions/mixed numbers/simplifying

Adding and subtracting fractions

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