Problem SolvingYear 7 Mathematics

Why do we need to know how to solve problems?

1) The person confronting it wants or needs to find a solution.

2) The person has no readily available procedure for finding the solution.

3) The person must make an attempt to find a solution.

Four Phases of Solving a Problem1. Understand

Before you can solve a problem you must firstunderstand it.

Read and re-read the problem carefully to find all the clues and determine what the question is asking you to find.

2. Plan

Once you understand the question and the clues, it's time to use your previous experience with similar problems to look for strategies and tools to answer the question.

3. Try It

After deciding on a plan, you should try it and see what answer you come up with.

4. Look Back

Once you've tried it and found an answer, go back to the problem and see if you've really answered the question.

Sometimes it's easy to overlook something. If you missed something check your plan and try the problem again.

Problem Solving Strategies

1. Make a table2. Make an organised list3. Look for a pattern4. Guess and check5. Draw a picture or graph6. Work backwards7. Solve a simpler problem

Practice Problem 1

Pick the strategy you think will help you solve this problem.

Steve, Michael, Sandra, Lesley are standing in line to buy tickets for a movie.

In how many ways can they stand in line to buy their tickets?

Practice Problem 2

Pick the strategy you think will help you solve this problem.

Seth and Bob each began reading a book today.

If Seth reads 8 pages each day and Bob reads 5 pages each day, what page will Bob be reading when Seth is reading page 56?