PROBLEM SOLVING
MIDTERM LECTURE NO.2
A problem in Mathematics, is a
statement requiring a solution,
usually by means of a
mathematical operation/geometric
construction.
Example:
Old MacDonald has 56 chickens
and carabaos in the farm. All in all,
there are 152 feet. How many
chickens and carabaos are in his
farm?
Method – ways of techniques used to get an answer
which will usually involve one or more problem
solving strategies.
Answer – a number, quantity or some other entity
that the problem is asking for.
Solution – the whole process of solving a problem,
including the method of obtaining an answer and the
answer itself.
Method + Answer = Solution
Problem Solving is a process – an
ongoing activity in which we take what we
know to discover what we don’t know.
It involves three basic functions:
1.Seeking information
2.Generating new knowledge
3.Making decisions
• Logic – The science of correct reasoning.
• Reasoning – The drawing of inferences or
conclusions from known or assumed facts.
When solving a problem, one must understand the
question, gather all pertinent facts, analyze the
problem i.e. compare with previous problems (note
similarities and differences), perhaps use pictures
or formulas to solve the problem.
INDUCTIVE vs. DEDUCTIVE
REASONING
Inductive Reasoning is the type of reasoning that forms
a conclusion based on the examination of specific
examples. The conclusion formed by using this type of
reasoning is a conjecture, since it may or may not be
true.
Think of it like a , we start with specifics and move
to generalities
Examples of Inductive Reasoning
1) Every quiz has been easy. Therefore, the test
will be easy.
2) The teacher used PowerPoint in the last few
classes. Therefore, the teacher will use
PowerPoint tomorrow.
3) Every fall there have been hurricanes in the
tropics. Therefore, there will be hurricanes in
the tropics this coming fall.
Examples: Use inductive reasoning to
predict a number
What is the next number in the sequence:
a.6, 13, 20, 27?
b.3, 6, 9, 12?
c.1, 3, 6, 10, 15?
Examples: Use inductive reasoning to make a
Conjecture
Consider the following procedure: Pick a number.
Multiply the number by 8, add 6 to the product,
divide the sum by 2, and subtract 3.
Use inductive reasoning to make a conjecture
about the relationship between the size of the
resulting number and the size of the original
number.
Examples: Use inductive reasoning to solve an
application.
Length of Pendulum, in units Period of Pendulum, in heartbeats
1 1
4 2
9 3
16 4
25 5
36 6
Use the data in the above table and
inductive reasoning to answer each of the
following questions.
a.If a pendulum has a length of 49 units,
what is the period?
b.If the length of a pendulum is quadrupled,
what happens to its period?
Number of
Dots 1 2 3 4 5 6
Maximum
Number of
regions
1 2 4 8 16 ?
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
counterexample, then the
statement is a false statement.
Examples:
1.Every number that is a multiple of
10 is divisible by 4.
2.All prime numbers are odd.
3.For all numbers x: |x| > 0.
4.For all numbers x: x > x
2
5.For all numbers x: √x = x
2
Deductive Reasoning is the process of
reaching a conclusion by applying
general assumptions, procedures, or
principles.
Think of it like a ,we start with
generalities and move to specifics.
The classic example
All men are mortal. (major premise)
Socrates is a man. (minor premise)
Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
(conclusion)
The above is an example of a syllogism.
• Syllogism: An argument composed of two
statements or premises (the major and minor
premises), followed by a conclusion.
• For any given set of premises, if the conclusion is
guaranteed, the arguments is said to be valid.
• If the conclusion is not guaranteed (at least one
instance in which the conclusion does not follow),
the argument is said to be invalid.
• BE CARFEUL, DO NOT CONFUSE TRUTH WITH
VALIDITY!
Examples:
1. All students eat pizza.
Claire is a student at ASU.
Therefore, Claire eats pizza.
2. All athletes work out in the gym.
Barry Bonds is an athlete.
Therefore, Barry Bonds works out in the gym.
3. All math teachers are over 7 feet tall.
Mr. D. is a math teacher.
Therefore, Mr. D is over 7 feet tall.
• The argument is valid, but is certainly not true.
• The above examples are of the form
If p, then q. (major premise)
x is p. (minor premise)
Therefore, x is q. (conclusion)
Examples: Use deductive reasoning to Establish a
Conjecture
Use deductive reasoning to show that the following
procedure produces a number that is four times the
original number.
Procedure: Pick a number. Multiply the number by 8, add
6 to the product, divide the sum by 2, and subtract 3.
Solve for x in the equation 3(x+4) – 2x = 20.
Justify your answer.
STATEMENT JUSTIFICATION
3(x+4) – 2x = 20 Given
3x + 12 – 2x = 20 Distributive Property
3x – 2x + 12 = 20 Commutative Property
x + 12 = 20 Closure Property
x = 20 – 12 Transposition
x=8 Closure Property
Determine whether each of
the following arguments is
an example of inductive or
deductive reasoning.
1. During the past 10 years, a
tree has produced plums
every other year. Last year the
tree did not produce plums, so
this year the three will produce
plums.
2. All home improvements cost
more than the estimate. The
contractor estimated that my
home improvement will cost
P35,000. Thus my home
improvement will cost more than
P35,000.
3. All polygons are closed
figure. An octagon is a
polygon. Hence, an octagon is
a closed figure.
4. Donna has won in the Math
Wizard contest for five
consecutive years. Thus,
Donna will win again in the
contest this year.
5. 90% of humans are right
handed. Joe is human,
therefore Joe is right handed.
6. You are a good student.
You get all A’s
Therefore your friends must
get all A’s too
7. All oranges are fruits. All
fruits grow on trees. Therefore,
all oranges grow on trees.
