Problem Solving Strategies for math

Problem Solving Strategies for math

Learning how to solve problems in mathematics is knowing what to look for. Math problems often require established procedures and knowing what and when to apply them. To identify procedures, you have to be familiar with the problem situation and be able to collect the appropriate information, identify a strategy or strategies and use the strategy appropriately. G. Polya wrote a book titled 'How To Solve It' in 1957. Many of the ideas that worked then, continue to work for us now. The steps below are very similar to those expressed in Polya's book.

Problem solving requires practice! The more your practice, the better you get.
Practice, practice, practice.

Problem Solving Plan in 4 Steps:

1. Clues:

• Read the problem carefully.
• Underline clue words.
• Ask yourself if you've seen a problem similar to this one. If so, what is similar about it?
• What did you need to do?
• What facts are you given?
• What do you need to find out?

2. Game Plan:

• Define your game plan.
• Have you seen a problem like this before?
• Identify what you did.

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