Definition Of 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.

Video Examples: 7 Step Problem Solving

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

Ques: 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.

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