Chemistry

COMMON PROBLEM-SOLVING
STRATEGIES/HEURISTICS
PROBLEM SOLVING
Refers to mental process that people go through
to discover, analyze, and solve problems.
It is also defined as an act to find a way out of

difficulty, find a way around an obstacle, find a way
where none is known, and attain a desired end that is
not immediately attainable by direct means.
1. WORKING BACKWARD
This strategy include a number of linked

factors or events, where some of the information
has not been provided, usually at the beginning
of the problem. This entails starting with the end
results and reversing the steps you need to get
those results, in order to figure out the answer to
the problem.
1. Paul has money in his piggy bank. His mom
adds $5 to the bank. Paul takes out $2 to buy an ice
cream, but adds $10 his grandmother gave him for his
birthday. At the end of the day, Paul empties his
piggy bank to count his money and finds he has a
total of $20. how much money did Paul have in his
piggy bank at the start of the day?
Paul started with $7 in

his piggy bank
2. GUESS AND CHECK
Often referred to as “trial and error”.
Essential features of the guess and check strategy:
• make an educated guess at a solution

• check the guess against the condition of the problem
• use the information obtained in checking to make a
better guess.
• continue this procedure until the correct answer is
obtained
2. Shamie 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?
She has given the clerk 2 $10

bills, 3 $5 bills and 5 $1 bills.
3. MAKE A DIAGRAM
The diagram represents the problem in

a way we can see it, understand it, and
think about it while looking for the next
step.
3. Farmer Rich has ducks and cows in his
farm. He has 22 animals which has 56 legs
altogether. How many ducks and cows are
there?
There are 16 ducks and 6

cows in his farm.
There are 120 students surveyed and asked which of the following subjects
they take this semester: Mathematics, English or Biology. Below is the result of
the survey.
35 responded English
50 responded Mathematics
29 responded Biology
12 responded Mathematics and English
8 responded English and Biology
11 responded Biology and Math
5 responded all
Questions:
1. How many students are not taking any of the three subjects?
2. How many students take Mathematics but not Biology and English?
3. How many students take Math and English but not Biology?
4. MAKE A LIST
A systematic method of organizing

information in rows and/or columns. By
putting given information in an organized
list, you can clearly analyze this
information and then solve the problem
by completing the list.
4. How many possible combinations may
happen when a die is rolled and a coin is
tossed?
There is a total of 12 possible

combinations in rolling a die
and tossing a coin.
5. LOOK FOR A PATTERN
Entails looking for patterns in the data

in order to solve the problem, that is, the
solver looks for items or numbers that are
repeated, or a series of events that
repeat.
5. Paul used black and white triangles to form
some patterns. The first four patterns are shown below.
a.) Find the total number of shaded

triangles for pattern 28. (406)
b.) Find the total number of unshaded
triangles for pattern 28. (378)
6. DIVIDE AND CONQUER
Dividing problems into parts and

solving one part at a time.
6. A restaurant wants to make 200 liters of a
special fruit punch that contains exactly 42%
pineapple juice. They plan on mixing a juice
drink that contains 30% pineapple juice with
another fruit drink that consists of 50%
pineapple juice. How much of each juice drink
is needed to make the fruit punch?
80 liters of 30% pineapple juice drink and 120

liters of 50% pineapple juice drink is needed to
make 200 liters of a special fruit punch that
contains exactly 42% pineapple juice
7. SOLVE A SIMPLER PROBLEM
Solving another problem that has simpler

numbers or fewer cases.
To use this strategy, first use a simpler or
more familiar case of the problems. Then use
the same concepts and relationships to solve
the original problem.
7. What is the quotient when 128 is
divided by 8?
8. ACT IT OUT
Act out a problem by trying to do

what the people or things in a
problem do.
8. You are at the side of a river. You have a
three-liter pitcher and a seven-liter pitcher. The
pitchers do not have markings to allow
measuring smaller quantities. You need two
liters of water. How can you measure two liters?
1. Fill the three-liter pitcher from the river.
2. Pour the three liters from the three-liter pitcher into
the seven-liter pitcher.
3. Fill the three-liter pitcher from the river again.
4. Pour the three liters from the three-liter pitcher into
the seven-liter pitcher (which now contains six
liters).
5. Fill the three-liter pitcher from the river yet again.
6. Pour from the three-liter pitcher into the seven-liter
pitcher until the latter is full. This requires one
liter, since the seven-liter pitcher had six liters of
water after step 4. This step leaves two liters in
the three-liter pitcher.
9. ADOPTING A DIFFERENT POINT OF
VIEW
Approaching a problem in a different
point of view that may yield the answer
quickly and more efficiently, instead of
considering the problem in the most
direct and obvious manner.
9. In Figure below, ABCD is a square, and P and
Q are the midpoints of the sides. What is the ratio of
the area of triangle DPQ to the area of the square?
A P B
DPQ : ABCD
=
Q 3:8
D C
Find the value of (x + y) if
123x + 321y = 345
321x + 123y = 543
x+y=2
POLYA’S PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGY
One of the foremost recent mathematicians to make a study of
problem solving was George Polya (1887–1985). He was born in Hungary
and moved to the United States in 1940.
The basic problem-solving strategy that Polya advocated consisted of

the following four steps.
𝟑
Kim’s class voted on a location for a field trip. 𝟖
of
𝟗
the class voted for science museum. of the class
𝟑𝟐
voted for the water park. The rest of the class voted
for the zoo. What fraction of the class voted for the
zoo?
Kim’s class
voted on a
location for a field 1. Understand the Problem
𝟑
trip. 𝟖 of the class
voted for science
𝟗 2. Devise a Plan
museum. of the
𝟑𝟐
class voted for the
water park. The 3. Carry Out the Plan
rest of the class
voted for the zoo.
What fraction of
the class voted for 4. Review the Solution
the zoo?
𝟑
Kim’s class voted on a location for a field trip. 𝟖
of
𝟗
the class voted for science museum. 𝟑𝟐
of the class
voted for the water park. The rest of the class voted
for the zoo. What fraction of the class voted for the
zoo?
𝟏𝟏
was the fraction of the
𝟑𝟐
class that voted for the zoo
Use inductive reasoning
to predict the next number
in each of the following
lists.
a. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ?
b. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ?
INDUCTIVE REASONING
The type of reasoning that forms a conclusion
based on the examination of specific examples is
called inductive reasoning. The conclusion formed by
using inductive reasoning is a conjecture, since it
may or may not be correct.
Use inductive reasoning
to predict the next number
in each of the following
lists.
a. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18
b. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 21
What number always
divides the sum of three
consecutive numbers?
3 always divides the sum of three

consecutive numbers
COUNTEREXAMPLES
A statement is a true statement

provided that it is true in all cases.
If you can find one case for

which a statement is not true, called
a counterexample, then the
statement is a false statement.
Verify that each of the following statements is a false
statement by finding a counterexample.
For all numbers x:
a. Let x = 0. Then | 0| = 0.
Thus “for all numbers x, |x| > 0” is a false statement.
b. For x = 1 we have 12 = 1. Thus “for all numbers x, x2 > x” is a
false statement.
c. Consider x = –3. Thus “for all numbers x, 𝒙𝟐 = 𝒙” is a false
statement.
DEDUCTIVE REASONING
Deductive reasoning is distinguished from
inductive reasoning in that it is the process of
reaching a conclusion by applying general principles
and procedures.
Use deductive reasoning to show that the
following procedure produces a number that is
four times the original number.
Procedure: Pick a number. Multiply the

number by 8, add 6 to the product, divide the
sum by 2, and subtract 3.
Inductive Reasoning
vs.
Deductive Reasoning
Determine whether each of the following arguments is an
example of inductive reasoning or deductive reasoning.
a. During the past 10 years, a tree has produced plums

every other year. Last year the tree did not produce
plums, so this year the tree will produce plums.
This argument reaches a conclusion based on specific
examples, so it is an example of inductive reasoning
b. All home improvements cost more than the estimate.

The contractor estimated that my home improvement will
cost $35,000. Thus my home improvement will cost
more than $35,000.
Because the conclusion is a specific case of a general
assumption, this argument is an example of deductive reasoning.
LOGIC PUZZLES
Logic puzzles, can be solved by

using deductive reasoning and a
chart that enables us to display the
given information in a visual manner.
Each of four neighbors,
SOLVE A Sean, Maria,
LOGIC Sarah, and
PUZZLE
Brian, has a different occupation (editor, banker, chef,
or dentist). From the following clues, determine the
occupation of each neighbor.
1. Maria gets home from work after the banker but

before the dentist.
2. Sarah, who is the last to get home from work, is not the
editor.
3. The dentist and Sarah leave for work at the same time.
4. The banker lives next door to Brian.

Solution:
From clue 1, Maria is not the banker or the dentist. In the
following chart, write X1 in the Banker and the Dentist
columns of Maria’s row.
1. Maria gets home from work

after the banker but before
the dentist. Editor Banker Chef Dentist
2. Sarah, who is the last to get Sean
home from work, is not the Maria
editor. Sarah
3. The dentist and Sarah leave Brian
for work at the same time.
4. The banker lives next door
to Brian.
Solution:
From clue 1, Maria is not the banker or the dentist. In the
following chart, write X1 in the Banker and the Dentist
columns of Maria’s row.

home from work, is not the Maria X1 X1
editor. Sarah
to Brian.
Solution:
From clue 2, Sarah is not the editor.

editor. Sarah X2
to Brian.
Solution:
From clue 2, Sarah is not the editor. We know from clue 1 that the
banker is not the last to get home, and we know from clue 2 that
Sarah is the last to get home; therefore, Sarah is not the banker.

editor. Sarah X2 X2
to Brian.
Solution:
From clue 3, Sarah is not the dentist.

editor. Sarah X2 X2 X3
to Brian.
Solution:
From clue 3, Sarah is not the dentist. There are now Xs for three of the four occupations in
Sarah’s row; therefore, Sarah must be the chef.

editor. Sarah X2 X2  X3
to Brian.
Solution:
Sarah’s row; therefore, Sarah must be the chef. Since Sarah is the chef, none of the other
three people can be the chef. Write X3 for these conditions.

2. Sarah, who is the last to get Sean X3
home from work, is not the Maria X1 X3 X1
3. The dentist and Sarah leave Brian X3
to Brian.
Solution:
three people can be the chef. Write X3 for these conditions. There are now Xs for three of
the four occupations in Maria’s row; therefore, Maria must be the editor.

2. Sarah, who is the last to get Sean X3
home from work, is not the Maria  X1 X3 X1
3. The dentist and Sarah leave Brian X3
to Brian.
Solution:
three people can be the chef. Write X3 for these conditions. There are now Xs for three of
the four occupations in Maria’s row; therefore, Maria must be the editor. Thus, neither Sean
nor Brian is the editor.

2. Sarah, who is the last to get Sean X3 X3
3. The dentist and Sarah leave Brian X3 X3
to Brian.
Solution:
From clue 4, Brian is not the banker.

2. Sarah, who is the last to get Sean X3 X3
3. The dentist and Sarah leave Brian X3 X4 X3
to Brian.
Solution:
• From clue 4, Brian is not the banker. Since there are three Xs in the Banker column, Sean
must be the banker.

2. Sarah, who is the last to get Sean X3  X3
to Brian.
Solution:
must be the banker. Thus Sean cannot be the dentist.

2. Sarah, who is the last to get Sean X3  X3 X4
to Brian.
Solution:
must be the banker. Thus Sean cannot be the dentist. Since there are 3 Xs in the Dentist
column, Brian must be the dentist.

2. Sarah, who is the last to get Sean X3  X3 X4
3. The dentist and Sarah leave Brian X3 X4 X3 
to Brian.
Solution:
must be the banker. Thus Sean cannot be the dentist. Since there are 3 Xs in the Dentist
column, Brian must be the dentist.
Editor Banker Chef Dentist

Sean X3 X3 X4
the dentist. Maria X1 X3 X1
2. Sarah, who is the last to get Sarah X2 X2 X3
home from work, is not the Brian X3 X4 X3
editor.
3. The dentist and Sarah leave Sean is the banker, Maria is
for work at the same time. the editor, Sarah is the chef,
4. The banker lives next door and Brian is the dentist.
to Brian.
Michael, Clarissa, Reggie, and Ellen are attending
Florida State University (FSU). One student is a computer
science major, one is a chemistry major, one is a business
major, and one is a biology major. From the following clues,
determine which major each major is pursuing.
a. Michael and the computer science major are next-
door neighbors.
b. Clarissa and the chemistry major have attended FSU
for 2 years. Reggie has attended FSU for 3 years, and the
biology major has attended FSU for 4 years.
c. Ellen has attended FSU for fewer years than Michael.
d. The business major has attended FSU for 2 years.
Michael, Clarissa, Reggie, and Ellen are attending Florida State
University (FSU). One student is a computer science major, one is a
chemistry major, one is a business major, and one is a biology major.
From the following clues, determine which major each major is
pursuing.
a. Michael and the computer science major are next-door
neighbors.
b. Clarissa and the chemistry major have attended FSU for 2
years. Reggie has attended FSU for 3 years, and the biology major has
attended FSU for 4 years.
c. Ellen has attended FSU for fewer years than Michael.
d. The business major has attended FSU for 2 years.
CLARISSA – BUSINESS major
MICHAEL –BIOLOGY major
REGGIE – COMPUTER SCIENCE major
ELLEN – CHEMISTRY major
TAKE HOME TASK
1. Answer the Bridge riddle, presented on the video.

2.a In a spelling competition all the competitors were on
stage together. After three minutes, a fifth of the students had
made mistakes and were excluded from the competition. In
the next five minutes half of those remaining were eliminated
by extremely difficult words. Two minutes later four students
were found cheating and were sent home. After fifteen
minutes of the competition half of the remaining students had
made mistakes and left the stage. In the last few minutes one
more competitor made an unfortunate mistake and one
contestant was left as the winner of the spelling competition.
How many children originally entered the competition?
There were 20 children
who entered in the
spelling competition
2.b An MRT train left Bugis station with some passengers.
At Lavender station, no passengers alighted and the number
𝟏
of passengers who boarded the train was 𝟒
the original
𝟐
number of passengers in the train. At Kallang station, of the
𝟓
passengers alighted and 51 passengers boarded the train. At
𝟐
Aljunied station, 𝟑 of the passengers alighted and 24
passengers boarded the train. At Paya Lebar station, all 122
passengers alighted from the train. How many passengers
were there when the train left Bugis station?
There were 324 passengers

when the train left Bugis
station
3. Jamie went out to her grandfather's farm.
Her grandfather has pigs and chickens on his
farm. She noticed that there were a total of 26
heads and 68 feet among them. How many
chickens and how many pigs did her
grandfather have?
There were18 chickens and

8 pigs in her grandfather’s
farm.
4. Calvin and Shawn are 200 meters apart. A
flagpole is halfway between them. Both boys begin
walking at the same speed toward one another.
Halfway to the flagpole, Calvin realizes that he
dropped his keys at the starting point. He goes back,
picks up his keys, and walks toward the pole again.
How far are Calvin and Shawn from the flagpole when
they finally meet?
Calvin and Shawn are 50

meters apart from the
flagpole when they met.
5. If ten people meet in a room and
each person shakes hands with each of the
others, how many handshakes take place?
45 handshakes took place.

6. You arrange tennis balls in triangular
shapes as shown below. How many balls
will there be in a triangle that has 50 rows?
There will be 1275 balls

in a triangle that has
50 rows.
7. A chemist makes a 12% acid solution with a
20% acid solution to make 300 milliliters of an
18% acid solution. How many milliliters of each
solution does the chemist use?
The chemist used 75 milliliters of 12% solution

and 225 milliliters of 20% solution
8. A family went to a dinner and the total cost
was 250 dollars. They want to give a tip of 18%
to the waiter. How much is the tip?
45 dollars is the amount of tip given to the

waiter
9. In how many ways can pictures of
Angela, Barbara and Collin be hung
on the wall?
There are 6 different ways these pictures

can be hanged on the wall
10. The mayflower is the Massachusets’ state flower and
Nova Scotia’s provincial flower. It has five petals. Imagined
that the petals are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 in a clockwise
order. A ladybug has landed on petal number 1. It begins to
jump in a counterclockwise direction from one petal to
another, around the flower. When it jumps from an odd-
numbered petal, it skips a petal. When it jumps from an even-
numbered petal, it jumps to the next petal. Since it is the year
2018, it has decided to make 2018 jumps. What number of
petal will it be when it stops jumping?
3 is the number of petal where the
ladybug landed in the 2018th jump
11. Allison wishes to walk along the streets from point
A to point B. How many direct routes can Allison take?
There are 35 direct

routes Allison can
trace from point A
to point B.
12. What number always
divides the sum of three
consecutive numbers?
3 always divides the sum of three

consecutive numbers
13. Verify that each of the following statements is a false
statement by finding a counterexample.
For all numbers x:
a. Let x = 0. Then | 0| = 0.
Thus “for all numbers x, |x| > 0” is a false statement.
b. For x = 1 we have 12 = 1. Thus “for all numbers x, x2 > x” is a
false statement.
c. Consider x = –3. Thus “for all numbers x, 𝒙𝟐 = 𝒙” is a false
statement.
14. Use deductive reasoning to show that
the following procedure produces a number
that is four times the original number.
Procedure: Pick a number. Multiply the

number by 8, add 6 to the product, divide the
sum by 2, and subtract 3.
15. Brianna, Ryan, Tyler, and Ashley were recently elected as the
new class officers (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer) of the
sophomore class at Summit College. From the following clues,
determine which position each holds.
1. Ashley is younger than the president but older than the
treasurer.
2. Brianna and the secretary are both the same age, and they are
the youngest members of the group.
3. Tyler and the secretary are next-door neighbors.
Brianna – Treasurer
Ryan – Secretary
Tyler – President
Ashley – Vice President

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COMMON PROBLEM-SOLVING

It is also defined as an act to find a way out of

This strategy include a number of linked

Paul started with $7 in

• make an educated guess at a solution

She has given the clerk 2 $10

The diagram represents the problem in

There are 16 ducks and 6

A systematic method of organizing

There is a total of 12 possible

Entails looking for patterns in the data

a.) Find the total number of shaded

Dividing problems into parts and

80 liters of 30% pineapple juice drink and 120

Solving another problem that has simpler

Act out a problem by trying to do

123x + 321y = 345

321x + 123y = 543

The basic problem-solving strategy that Polya advocated consisted of

3 always divides the sum of three

A statement is a true statement

If you can find one case for

Procedure: Pick a number. Multiply the

a. During the past 10 years, a tree has produced plums

b. All home improvements cost more than the estimate.

Logic puzzles, can be solved by

1. Maria gets home from work after the banker but

4. The banker lives next door to Brian.

1. Maria gets home from work

1. Maria gets home from work

1. Maria gets home from work

1. Maria gets home from work

1. Maria gets home from work

1. Maria gets home from work

1. Maria gets home from work

1. Maria gets home from work

1. Maria gets home from work

1. Maria gets home from work

1. Maria gets home from work

1. Maria gets home from work

1. Maria gets home from work

Editor Banker Chef Dentist

1. Answer the Bridge riddle, presented on the video.

There were 324 passengers

There were18 chickens and

Calvin and Shawn are 50

45 handshakes took place.

There will be 1275 balls

The chemist used 75 milliliters of 12% solution

45 dollars is the amount of tip given to the

There are 6 different ways these pictures

There are 35 direct

3 always divides the sum of three

Procedure: Pick a number. Multiply the

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