GEE - MMW

PROBLEM
SOLVING
 INDUCTIVE REASONING
The process of reaching a general conclusion by examining
specific examples.

Use inductive reasoning to predict a number

a. 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ?
Each successive number is 3 larger than the preceding number. Thus we
predict that the next number in the list is 3 larger than 15, which is 18.

b. 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, ?
The first two numbers differ by 2. The second and the third numbers differ by
3. It appears that the difference between any two numbers is always 1 more than
the preceding difference. Since 10 and 15 differ 5, we predict that the next
number in the list will be 6 larger than 15, which is 21.
 INDUCTIVE REASONING
The process of reaching a general conclusion by examining
specific examples.

c. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, ?

Each successive number is 5 larger than the preceding number. Thus we
predict that the next number in the list is 5 larger than 25, which is 30.

d. 2, 5, 10, 17, 26, ?

The first two numbers differ by 3. Then, the second and third numbers
differs by 5. It appears that the difference between any two numbers is 2
more than the preceding difference. Since 17 and 26 differ 9, we predict that
the next number inthe list will be 11 larger than 26, which is 37.
 INDUCTIVE REASONING
The process of reaching a general conclusion by examining
specific examples.

Counterexamples
A statement is a true statement provided that it is true in all cases. If you can find one case
for which a statement is not true, called a counterexample then the statement is a false
statement. In the next example, we verify that each statement is a false statement by
finding a counterexample for each.

Find a counterexample:
For all number x:

a. |x|>0
Let x=0. Then |0| = 0. Because 0 is not greater than 0, we have found a
counter example. Thus “for all numbers x, |x|> 0” is a false statement.
 INDUCTIVE REASONING
The process of reaching a general conclusion by examining
specific examples.

b. x²>x
For x=1 we have 1² = 1. Since 1 is not greater than 1, we have found a counter
example. Thus “for all numbers x, x²>x” is a false statement .

c. √x² = x
Consider x= -3. Then √(-3)² = √9 = 3. Since 3 is not equal to -3, we have found
a counterexample. Thus “for all numbers x, √x² = x” is a false statement.
 DEDUCTIVE REASONING
The process of reaching a conclusion by apllying general
assumptions, procedures, or principles.

Use deductive reasoning to establish conjecture

Solution:
1. Procedure: Let n = a number
Pick a number.
Multiply the number by 8, Number: n
add 6 to the product, Multiply by 8: n*8 = 8n
divide the sum by 2, Add 6: 8n+6 = 8n+6
and subtract 3. Divide by 2: (8n+6) / 2 = 4n+3
Subtract 3: 4n+3-3 = 4n
Give your conjecture: Thus, the conjecture is 4n.
 DEDUCTIVE REASONING
The process of reaching a conclusion by apllying general
assumptions, procedures, or principles.

Use deductive reasoning to establish conjecture

Solution:
2. Procedure: Let n = a number
Pick a number.
Multiply the number by 6, Number: n
add 10 to the product, Multiply by 6: n*6 = 6n
divide the sum by 2, Add 10: 6n+10 = 6n+10
and subtract 5. Divide by 2: (6n+10) / 2 = 3n+5
Subtract 5: 3n+5-5 = 3n
Give your conjecture: Thus, the conjecture is 3n.
 LOGIC PUZZLE
Example:

Each of four neighbors Sean, Maria, Sarah and Brian, has

a different occupation (editor banker, chef, or dentist).
From the following clues, determine the occupation of
each neighbor.

Clues:
Maria gets home from work after the banker but before
the dentist.
Sarah, who is the last to get home work, is not the editor.
The dentist and Sarah leave for work at the same time.
The banker lives next door to brian.
 LOGIC PUZZLE
Solution:

From clue 1, Maria is not the banker or the From clue 2, Sarah is not the editor. Write X2
dentist. In the chart, write X1 (which (ruled out by clue 2) in the Editor column of
stands for “ruled out by clue 1”) in the Sarah’s row. We know from clue 1 that the banker
Banker and the Dentist columns of Maria’s is not the last to get home, and we know from
row. clue 2 that Sarah is thelast to get home;
therefore, Sarah is not the banker. Write X2 in the
Banker column of Sarah’s row
 LOGIC PUZZLE
From clue 3, Sarah is not the dentist. Write X3 for this From clue 4, Brian is not the banker. Write X4 for
condition. There are now Xs for three of the four
this condition. Since there are three Xs in the
occupations in Sarah’s row; therefore, Sarah must be
Banker column, Sean must be the banker. Place a
the chef. Place a / in that box. Since Sarah is the chef,
/ in that box. Thus Sean cannot be the dentist.
none of the other three people can be the chef. Write
Write X4 in that box. Since there are 3 Xs in the
X3 for these conditions. There are now Xs for three of
Dentist column, Brian must be the dentist. Place a
the four occupations in Maria’s row; therefore, Maria
/ in that box.
must be the editor. Insert a / to indicate that Maria is
the editor, and write X3 twice to indicate that neither
Sean nor Brian is the editor.
MAGIC SQUARES
A magic square of order n is an arrangement of
numbers in a square such that the sum of n
numbers in each row column and diagonal is the
same number.
EXAMPLE

11 7 3

4 8 16

5 13

10 18 1 22

23 6 2 15
 SOLUTION

The sum is 65 of each row, column and

diagonal is 65.

11 24 7 20 3

4 12 25 8 16

17 5 13 21 9

10 18 1 14 22

23 6 19 2 15
 PROBLEM SOLVING
WITH PATTERNS
A. Term of a Sequence
is an ordered list of numbers
Example:
1. Given: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ...
a. What is the next term?
The first two numbers differ by 4. Then, the second and third numbers differs by 6. It appears
that the difference between any two numbers is 2 more than the preceding difference. Since 20
and 30 differ by 10, we predict that the next number in the list will be 12 larger than 30, which is 42.

b. What formula can be used to generate the terms?

The formula is An = n2 + n.
 PROBLEM SOLVING
WITH PATTERNS

2. Given: 5, 14, 27, 44, 65, ... What is the next term in the sequence?

The formula would be 2n²+3n. Since we already have the first 5 terms, we will find
the 6th term. Let n=6.
a₆= 2n²+3n
= 2(6)²+3(6)
= 2(36)+18
= 72+18
a₆ = 90
Therefore, the next term of the sequence is 90.
 PROBLEM SOLVING
WITH PATTERNS
3. Given: 2, 7, 24, 59, 118, 207, ...
Construct a difference table to predict the next term in the sequence.

The third differences, are all the same constant, 6. Extending this row so that it
includes an additional 6 enables us to predict that the next second difference will be 36.
Adding 36 to the first difference 89 gives us the next first difference, 125.Adding 125 to the
sixth term 207 yields 332.Using the method of extending the differences, we predict that 332
is the next term in the sequence.
 PROBLEM SOLVING
WITH PATTERNS
B. nth-Term Formula for a Sequence
Example:
1. An = 3n²+n. List down the first 5 terms in the sequence.

Solution:
A1 = 3(1)²+1 = 4
A2 = 3(2)²+2 = 14
A3 = 3(3)²+3 = 30
A4 = 3(4)²+4 = 51
A5 = 3(5)²+5 = 80
 PROBLEM SOLVING
WITH PATTERNS
B. nth-Term Formula for a Sequence
Assume the patterns shown by the square tiles in the following figures continues.

a. What is the nth-Term Formula?

b. How many tiles will there be in the eight figure of the sequence?
c. Draw the figure which will consist exactly 320 tiles?
 PROBLEM SOLVING
WITH PATTERNS
Solution:

a. Examine the figures for patterns. Note that the second figure has two tiles on each of the
horizontal sections and one tile between the horizontal sections. The third figure has three tiles on
each horizontal section and two tiles between the horizontal sections. The fourth figure has four
tiles on each horizontal section and three tiles between the horizontal sections.

Thus the number of tiles in the nth figure is given by two groups of n plus a group of n less one.
That is,
An = 2n+(n-1)
An = 3n-1
 PROBLEM SOLVING
WITH PATTERNS
Solution:

b. n = 8
a₈ = 3(8)-1
= 24-1
a₈ = 23
The number of tiles in the eighth figure of the sequence is 3 (8) –1 =2

c. To determine which figure in the sequence will have 320 tiles, we solve the equation
3n–1 = 320
3n = 321
n = 107
The 107th figure is composed of 320 tiles.
PROBLEM SOLVING
STATEGIES
Polya’s Heuristic
Approach George Pólya

Polya's Four-Step Problem-Solving Strategy

1. Understand the problem.

2. Devise a plan.
3. Carry out the plan.
4. Review the solution
UNDERSTAND THE PLAN

This part of Polya's four-step strategy is often overlooked. You must

have a clear understanding of the problem. To help you focus on
understanding the problem, consider the following questions.

Can you restate the problem in your own words?

Can you determine what is known about these types of problems?
Is there missing information that, if known, would allow you to solve
the problem?
What is the goal? Is there extraneous information
DEVISE A PLAN
Successful problem solvers use a variety of techniques when they
attempt to solve a problem. Here are some frequently used procedures.

Make a list of the known information.

Make a list of information that is needed.
Draw a diagram.
Make an organized list that shows all the possibilities.
Make a table or a chart.
Work backwards.
Try to solve a similar but simpler problem.
Look for a pattern. Write an equation. If necessary, define what each
variable represents.
Perform an experiment.
Guess at a solution and then check your result.
CARRY OUT THE PLAN

Once you have devised a plan, you must carry it out.

Work carefully.
Keep an accurate and neat record of all your attempts.
Realize that some of your initial plans will not work
and that you may have to devise another plan or
modify your existing plan.
REVISE THE SOLUTION

Once you have found a solution, check the solution.

Ensure that the solution is consistent with the facts of

the problem.
Interpret the solution in the context of the problem.
Ask yourself whether there are generalizations of the
solution that could apply to other problems.
EXAMPLES

01
IN A BLUEPRINT OF A RECTANGULAR ROOM, THE LENGTH
IS 1 INCH MORE THAN 3 TIMES THE WIDTH. FIND THE
DIMENSIONS IF THE PERIMETER IS TO BE 26 INCHES.

Step 2: Devise a plan

Step 1: Understand the problem
We are looking for the length and width of
Find the dimensions if the perimeter is to be 26 the rectangle. Since length can be written
inches. in terms of width, we will let
w = width

length is 1 inch more than 3 times the

width:
1 + 3w = length

P= 2L+2W
Step 3: Carry out the plan

P= 2L+2W
26=2(1+3W)+2W Step 4: Look back
26=2+6W+2W W=3
26=2+8W
26-2= 8W L= (1+3W)
24=8W = 1+3(3)
3=W = 10
P=2L+2W
= 2(10)+2(3)
= 20+6
= 26
EXAMPLES

02
A girl ants to buy a new smart phone that costs $800. She
currently has $500 saved up, and she plans to save $50 each
week. How many weeks will it take for her to save enough
money to buy the smart phone?

Step 1: Understand the problem Step 2: Devise a plan

A girl wants to buy a new smartphone To solve this problem, we need to

costing $800. She currently has $500 determine how many weeks it will
saved up and plans to save $50 each take for girl's savings to reach $800.
week. The question is asking for the We'll use the information that she
number of weeks it will take for her to saves $50 each week and has $500
save enough money to buy the already saved.
smartphone.
Step 3: Carry out the plan

We can set up an equation to represent girl's savings over time:

Savings = Initial savings + (Weekly savings * Number of weeks)

In this case, Her initial savings are $500, and she saves an
additional $50 each week. Let's denote the number of weeks as
𝑥x. So, the equation becomes:
800=500+50𝑥
Step 4: Look back

·Now, we need to solve the equation for 𝑥x to find out how many weeks
it will take for a girl to save enough money to buy the smartphone.

800=500+50x
Subtract 500 from both sides:
800−500=500−500+50𝑥
Divide both sides by 50:
300 50x
50 50
=
6=x
 That would be all.

THANK YOU!