Problem Solving Strategies in Math

The first step in Problem Solving is

• Plan

• Understand

• Solve

• Check

What step is ask yourself "Is my answer reasonable?"

• Understand

• Plan

• Solve

• Examine

systematic way of recording computations or recording combinations of given data

• Act it Out

• Find A Pattern

• Organized List

• Make a Drawing

helps to visualize relationships by moving objects around

• Act it Out

• Find A Pattern

• Organized List

• Make a Drawing

most helpful with geometry or map directions; if a picture is not provided, draw one

• Act it Out

• Find A Pattern

• Organized List

• Make a Drawing

when you are given the end of a problem or solution and are asked to find the beginning or starting point

• Make a Table

• Make a Graph

• Guess and Check

• Work Backwards

use when you are given large numbers or many pieces of data; used when not enough information is given to solve the problem

• Make a Table

• Make a Graph

• Guess and Check

• Work Backwards

used with sequential data; gives you a visual picture to see trends in data

• Make a Table

• Make a Graph

• Guess and Check

• Work Backwards

orderly arrangement of data helps you track, identify data, or spot missing data; usually a sequence involving time

• Make a Table

• Make a Graph

• Guess and Check

• Work Backwards

used when given clues about a situation and have to use deduction reasoning to find a solution

• Logical Reasoning

• Solve Simpler Problem

• Guess and Check

• Work Backwards