Chapter III

Problem Solving

Mathematical problems stimulate the mind and train your mental faculties to be active when problems arose.
They condition the mind to identify what resources you have at present to help you solve the problem at hand
and lets you recognize whether the problem is solvable or not. Knowing that the problem is not solvable with
what you have at present is already time-saving for it prevents you from waging a useless war.

According to Watson (2017), solving mathematical problems improves the mind.

Problem Solving
The purpose of problem solving is to train the mind to respond properly to challenging events.

The art of reasoning is very important in mathematics. This is the skill needed in exemplifying the critical
thinking and problem solving ability. Logic and reasoning are very useful tools in decision making.
People also do deductive reasoning extensively to show that certain conjectures are true as these follow the
rules of logic.

Tools in solving a problem

1. Rules of logic
2. Rules in Mathematics
3. Rules in Statistics

Mathematical Problems train the mind how to relate quantities together so that the conditions of the problem
will be satisfied.

Common Mathematical Problems

1. Geometric problems
2. Sequence problems
1, 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, _____
Formula in finding the nth term of sequence with common difference
nth term = dn + ( a – d )
where d is the difference between the terms, a is the first term, and n is the term number.
3. Recreational Problems
Example: Tower of Hanoi
4. True-to-life Problems

According to George Polya, Problem-solving is:

1. Understand the problem (Understanding)
2. Device a plan (Planning)
3. Carry out the plan
4 Review the solution (Look back )
Example:
John can finish the task in 2 hours, while Jane can finish it in 3 hours. How long will it take for both of them if
they work together to finish the task?

Understanding the problem. The problem is about work that involves time. Certainly if they work together,
the task will be finished in less than two hours.
Devise a Plan. Since the problem involves time and the question is on the length of time to finish the task if
they work together, then let us start the analysis with the question: what happens in the first hour? Then, we
ask what happens in x hours.
Carry out the plan. In 1 hour, John can finish ½ of the task while Jane 1/3. Hence in x hours, John can finish
x/2 of the task while Jane x/3. Therefore, x/2 + x/3 = 1.
Solving for x, x = 1.2 hours or 1 hour and 12 minutes.
Einstein Type of Problem
Einstein's logic problem consists of three parts:
a list of facts, a simple question and a list of clues to help us along. Einstein assures us that the facts and clues
he provides can be used together in order to answer the question he poses, although he does not say how they
will interact.

Kinds of Reasoning
1. Intuition is similar to guessing. It is also called reasoning by guessing or reasoning by common sense.
2. Analogy is a form of reasoning in which other similarities are inferred from a particular similarity between
two or things. It is reasoning by comparison.
3. Inductive reasoning is the process of reaching a general conclusion by examining specific examples.
A form of reasoning where conclusions are based on observations or experimentations.
4. Deductive Reasoning is the process of reaching a conclusion by applying general assumptions,
procedures, or principles. form of reasoning from general assumptions to specific instances of the
general cases.