PROBLEM
SOLVING
EXAMPLES
Using problem-solving strategies and
Polya’s four steps in problem solving.
Problem: Twice the difference of a
number and 1 is 4 more than that
number. Find the number.
Problem: Imagine you're building squares using
small square tiles. You start with a 1x1 square (1
tile). Then you build a 2x2 square (4 tiles), then a
3x3 square (9 tiles), and so on. If you continue
this pattern, how many tiles would you need to
build a 10x10 square? How many tiles would you
need for a 100x100 square?
Problem: A baseball team won two out
of their last four games. In how many
different orders could they have two wins
and two losses in four games?
Problem: I'm thinking of a number. If
you multiply it by 3, then add 10, then
divide by 5, and finally subtract 2, you get
4. What's my number?
Problem: At the Keep in Shape Club, 35
people swim, 24 play tennis, and 27 jog. Of
these people, 12 swim and play tennis, 19 play
tennis and jog, and 13 jog and swim. Nine
people do all three activities. How many
members are there altogether?
Problem: Mr. Jones has a total of 25
chickens and cows on his farm. How
many of each does he have if all together
there are 76 feet?
Problem: Seth and Bob each began
reading a Hardy Boys book today. If Seth
reads 8 pages each day, what page will
Bob be reading when Seth is reading
page 56?