Problem Solving

• The procedure used to solve a Problem is called Problem Solving.

More about Problem Solving

• Some of the problems solving strategies are: drawing a diagram, looking for the pattern, guess and check, trial and error, working forward and backward, etc.

Example of Problem Solving

• Suppose Elisa collected 5 stamps on Monday, 10 stamps on Tuesday, and 15 stamps on Wednesday. If she continues the pattern, then, by Friday, she will be having 25 stamps, because the Rule for the given Pattern is 'multiples of 5' i.e. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25,...

Solved Example on Problem Solving

Stephen wrote a test that had 45 questions. He marked 12 questions wrong. How many questions did he mark right?
Identify the strategy that would help you to solve the problem.
Choices:
A. 40 - 10 = 30; 5 - 2 = 3; 30 + 3 = 33
B. 40 + 10 = 50; 5 + 2 = 7; 50 + 7 = 57
C. 40 - 10 = 30; 5 - 2 = 3; 30 - 3 = 27
D. 40 - 10 = 30; 5 - 1 = 4; 30 + 4 = 34
Correct Answer: A
Solution:
Step 1: Number of questions Stephen marked correct = 45 - 12
Step 2: 45 = 4 tens + 5 ones; and 12 = 1 ten + 2 ones
Step 3: 45 - 12 = (4 tens + 5 ones) - (1 ten + 2 ones) = (4 tens - 1 ten) + (5 ones - 2 ones)
Step 4: = (40 - 10) + (5 - 2) = 30 + 3 = 33
Step 5: So, the strategy '40 - 10 = 30; 5 - 2 = 3; 30 + 3 = 33' would help to solve the problem.

Related Terms for Problem Solving

• Problem
• Pattern
• Series

Additional Links for Problem Solving

• Click here for samples
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