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2.1 Polya S Four Steps in Problem Solving GEC 004 EE11S3 Mathematics in The Modern World PDF

George Polya developed a four-step process for problem solving: understand the problem, make a plan, carry out the plan, and look back. The steps address students' difficulties with problem solving and teach them to become better problem solvers. The four steps form the basis for any serious attempt at solving a problem. Sample problems demonstrate applying the four steps to algebra word problems.

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99 views

2.1 Polya S Four Steps in Problem Solving GEC 004 EE11S3 Mathematics in The Modern World PDF

George Polya developed a four-step process for problem solving: understand the problem, make a plan, carry out the plan, and look back. The steps address students' difficulties with problem solving and teach them to become better problem solvers. The four steps form the basis for any serious attempt at solving a problem. Sample problems demonstrate applying the four steps to algebra word problems.

Uploaded by

marvin paz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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2.

1 Polya's Four Steps in Problem


Solving

Solving the mathematical problem is one of students' Waterloo in


learning Mathematics.

It is, therefore, necessary that a student knows the strategy in solving


such problems.

In this module, we will discover Polya's Step in Solving the Problem.

Exploration and Discovery:

Introduction:

George Polya (1887-1985) was a Mathematics educator who strongly believed that the skill of
problem-solving can be taught. He developed a framework known as Polya's Four Steps in Problem
Solving. This process addresses the difficulty of students in problem-solving. He firmly believed that
the most efficient way of learning mathematical concepts is through problem-solving. Students and
teachers become better problem solvers.
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The diagram below shows the four-step process that forms the basis of any serious attempt at
problem-solving.

Sample Problems:

1.) Two times the sum of a number and 3 is equal to thrice the number plus 4. Find the number.

Solution:

Step 1: Understand the Problem

We need to make sure that we have read the question carefully several times.

Let x - be the unknown number

Step 2: Make a Plan

We need to translate the problem mathematically.

Two times the sum of a number and 3 is equal to thrice the number plus 4.

2(x+3)=3x+4

Step 3: Do the Plan

We need to solve for the value of x, algebraically.

2(x+3)=3x+4

2x+6=3x+4

3x-2x= 6-4
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x=2

Step 4: Look Back

If we take two times the sum of 2 and 3, that is the same as thrice the number 2 plus 4
which is 10, so this is is true. Thus the number we are looking for is 2.

2.) An agency charged Php 15,000 for a 3 day and 2-night tour in Macau and Php 20,000 for the
same tour with a side trip to Hong Kong (HK). Ten persons joined the trip, which enables them to
collect Php 170,000. How many tourists made a side trip to Hong Kong?

Solution:

Step 1: Understand the Problem

There are two types of tourists in the situation. Some purely stayed in Macau while others
made a side trip to HK. From the total collection, how much was the amount collected from those
who purely stayed in Macau and how much was collected from those who made side trips to HK. It is
needed to know how many were bound for Macau who made a side trip to Hk.

Step 2: Make a Plan

Let x - be the number of tourist bound for Macau alone

y - be the number of tourists bound for Macau but made a side trip to HK

We need to translate the into algebraic equations.

Php 15,000 x - amount collected from the tourist bound for Macau alone

Php 20,000 x - amount collected from the tourist bound for Macau who made a side trip to
Hk.

Step 3: Do the Plan

x + y = 10 (equation 1)

15,000 x + 20, 000 y = 170,000 ( equation 2 )

We need to solve for the values of x and y.

a.) Using equation 1:

x + y = 10

y = 10 - x ( equation 3 )

b.) Substitute equation 3 in equation 2:

15,000 x + 20,000 y = 170, 000


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15, 000 x + 20, 000 ( 10 - x ) = 170, 000

15, 000 x + 200, 000 - 20, 000 x = 170, 000

-5, 000 x = 170, 000 - 200, 000

- 5, 000 x = -30, 000


−30,000
x =
−5000

x=6

c.) Substitute x = 6 in equation 3 to find y.

y = 10 - x

y = 10 - 6

y=4

Step 4: Look Back

Since there are a total of 10 tourists, 6 of them stayed only in Macau while 4 made a side
trip in HK.

15,000 ( 6 ) + 20, 000 ( 4 ) = 170, 000

This satisfies the condition that the total amount collected for the whole trip is Php 170,000.

Supplemental Video:

This video shows Polya's Problem Solving Process:

Polya's Problem Solving Process

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