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Math Problem Solving Strategies

The document outlines two problem-solving strategies: measuring the weight of an elephant using a boat and rocks, and measuring specific volumes of water with 3-litre and 5-litre containers. For the elephant, the warriors mark the waterline with the elephant in the boat and then replace the elephant with rocks to measure the weight. For the water measurement, specific steps are provided to achieve exactly 4 liters and 7 liters using the two containers.

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Huey Fen
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6 views3 pages

Math Problem Solving Strategies

The document outlines two problem-solving strategies: measuring the weight of an elephant using a boat and rocks, and measuring specific volumes of water with 3-litre and 5-litre containers. For the elephant, the warriors mark the waterline with the elephant in the boat and then replace the elephant with rocks to measure the weight. For the water measurement, specific steps are provided to achieve exactly 4 liters and 7 liters using the two containers.

Uploaded by

Huey Fen
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

(A) Identify the strategy that you use to solve the problem in Tutorial 1 Question 1: The Kings Elephant

Problem Once upon a time, the king of Siam asked his warriors to measure the weight of an elephant. However, the weight of the elephant was too heavy to be measured by the biggest weighing machine available. Your task is to help the warriors to solve the problem. Strategy to solve the problems Below are the steps to solve the problem: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. For measuring the weight of elephant, the warriors can use a boat and some rocks. Firstly, put the boat into the river and lead the elephant into the boat. Then, made a mark on the boat which is same level as the water-line. Remove the elephant away from the boat and put in the rocks until it reaches the mark on the boat. After that, take out all the rocks and weigh them with the weighing machine. The weight of the rocks is the weight of the elephant.

Question 2:Abu Nawas' Problem In one of the stories in 'One Thousand and One Night', Abu Nawas would only allow any traveler to fetch water from the only well in the desert after solving the following problem: The travelers were given a 3-litre container and a 5-litre container. They have to measure exactly four and seven liters of water using the above containers. You are required to help the travelers solve the problem. Strategy to solve the problems Below are the steps to solve the problem: i) To get 4 liters of water: 1. Firstly, fill 3-litre container with water. 2. Pour the water into 5-litre container. 3. After that, fill 3-litre container with water again. 4. Pour the water into 5-litre container until the 5-litre container is full. 5. Then it will leave 1liter of water in 3-litre container. 6. Next, empty the 5-litre container and pour 1 liter of water remain into it. 7. Finally, fill the 3-litre container with water and pour it into 5-litre container. Now, we get 4 liters of water in 5-litre container.

ii) To get 7 liters of water: 1. Firstly, fill 5-litre container with water. 2. Pour the water into 3-litre container.
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3. Then it will leave 2 liters of water in 5-litre container. 4. Next, empty the 3-litre container and pour 2 liters of water remain into it. 5. Finally, fill the 5-litre container with water. Now, the sum of water in 5-litre container and 3-litre container is exactly 7 liters.

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