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Polya's Problem Solving Strategies

The document discusses Polya's four step problem solving method and provides examples of its application. The four steps are: 1) understand the problem, 2) devise a plan, 3) carry out the plan, and 4) look back. Several word problems are presented along with the steps taken to solve each one using Polya's approach.

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Harvey Madronero
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132 views15 pages

Polya's Problem Solving Strategies

The document discusses Polya's four step problem solving method and provides examples of its application. The four steps are: 1) understand the problem, 2) devise a plan, 3) carry out the plan, and 4) look back. Several word problems are presented along with the steps taken to solve each one using Polya's approach.

Uploaded by

Harvey Madronero
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Polya's Four Steps
  • Example 1 - NCAA Basketball
  • Example 2 - Algebraic Equation
  • Example 3 - Money Distribution Among Siblings
  • Example 4 - Dimensions of a Table

PROBLEM SOLVING

STRATEGIES
MERRY JOY B. BERNANTE
POLYA’S FOUR STEPS
● Understand the problem
● Devise a plan
● Carry out the plan
● Look back
Example 1
Suppose the NCAA Basketball championships is decided on a best of five series
game. In how many different ways can a team to win the championship?
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM
The team may have won three straight games (WWW). There are also other
possibilities such as WWLW, WLWW or WLWLW.

STEP 2: DEVISE A PLAN


Make an organized list of all possible orders.
STEP 3: CARRY OUT THE PLAN

Use a strategy to each order.

One strategy is to start to write Ws, then write L if it is not possible to write W. This strategy
produces 10 different orders.

WWW WLWLW

LWWW

LWWLW
WWLW
LWLWW
WWLLW
LLWWW
WLWW

WLLWW
STEP 4: LOOK BACK

The list above is organized and contains no duplications.


EXAMPLE 2

Two times the sum of a number and 3 is equal to thrice the number plus 4. Find
the number.
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

Read the question carefully. We will let x be a number.

STEP 2: DEVISE A PLAN

We will translate the problem mathematically.

2(x + 3) = 3x + 4
STEP 3: CARRY OUT THE PLAN

We solve for the value of x, algebraically.

STEP 4: LOOK BACK


EXAMPLE 3

Three siblings Sofia, Achaiah and Riana. Sofia gave Achaiah and Riana as much
money as each had. Then Achaiah gave Sofia and Riana as much money as each
had. Then Riana gave Sofia and Achaiah as much money as each had. Then each
of the three had P128. How much money did each have originally?
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

Carefully analyze the problem.

STEP 2: DEVISE A PLAN

We will be working backwards.


STEP 3: CARRY OUT THE PLAN
STEP 4: LOOK BACK
EXAMPLE 4

If the length of the top of a rectangle is 15 inches more than its width and the area
is 1,350 square inches. Find the dimensions of the table.
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM

We are looking for the length and width of the rectangular table.

Length is 15 longer than width (l = 15 + w).

STEP 2: DEVISE A PLAN

Apply the area of the rectangular formula.

Area = lw

1,350 = (15 + w)w


STEP 3: CARRY OUT THE PLAN

STEP 4: LOOK BACK

PROBLEM SOLVING STRATEGIES MERRY JOY B. BERNANTE
POLYA’S FOUR STEPS ● Understand the problem ● Devise a plan ● Carry out the plan ● Look back
Suppose the NCAA Basketball championships is decided on a best of five series game. In how many different ways can a team to
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM The team may have won three straight games (WWW). There are also other possibilities such as
STEP 3: CARRY OUT THE PLAN Use a strategy to each order. One strategy is to start to write Ws, then write L if it is not poss
EXAMPLE 2 Two times the sum of a number and 3 is equal to thrice the number plus 4. Find the number.
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM Read the question carefully. We will let x be a number. STEP 2: DEVISE A PLAN We will translat
STEP 3: CARRY OUT THE PLAN We solve for the value of x, algebraically. STEP 4: LOOK BACK
EXAMPLE 3 Three siblings Sofia, Achaiah and Riana. Sofia gave Achaiah and Riana as much money as each had. Then Achaiah gave
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM Carefully analyze the problem. STEP 2: DEVISE A PLAN We will be working backwards.

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