Lesson # 2:
Polya’s 4-steps in
Problem Solving
Polya’s Problem Solving
▪ One of the foremost recent
mathematicians to make a study
of problem solving, a Hungarian
native, was George Polya (1887-
1985).
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Polya’s Four-Step Problem
Solving Strategy
1. Understand the problem. Consider the following in
following the step:
- Can you restate the problem in your own words?
- Can you determine what is known about these types of
problem?
- Is there missing information?
- What is the goal?
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Polya’s Four-Step Problem
Solving Strategy
2. Devise a plan.
Here are some example procedures:
- Make a list of the known information.
- Draw a diagram
- Make a table or chart
- Work backwards
- Look for a pattern
- Perform an experiment
- Guess at a solution and then check the result.
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Polya’s Four-Step Problem
Solving Strategy
3. Carry out the plan.
- 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.
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Polya’s Four-Step Problem
Solving Strategy
4. Review the solution. Check your solution
- Ensure the solution is consistent with the facts of the problem.
- Interpret the solution in the contest of the problem.
- Ask yourself whether there are generalizations of the solution
that apply to other problem.
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EXAMPLE 1
Solve “Twice the difference of a number and 1 is 4 more than that
number. Find the number.” by applying Polya’s 4-steps
SOLUTION:
Step 1: Understand the Problem
Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.
Since we
are looking for a number, we will let x = a number
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EXAMPLE 1
Step 2: Devise a Plan (Translate)
Twice the difference of a number and 1 is 4 more than that
number
2 (n – 1) = 4 + n
Hence the translated equation is 2(n – 1) = n + 4
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EXAMPLE 1
Step 3: Carry out the Plan (Solve)
2(n – 1) = n + 4 - Given
2n – 2 = n + 4 - Distributive Property Over Multiplication
2n – n = 4 + 2 - Collect like terms
n = 6 - Simplify
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EXAMPLE 1
Step 4: Look Back (Check, Review and Interpret the Solution)
The obtained value of a number is 6
Twice the difference of a number and 1 is 4 more than that number
2 (𝑛 – 1) = 4 + 𝑛
2 (6 – 1) = 4 + 6
2 (5) = 10
10 = 10
𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝐴𝑛𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑟: 6
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EXAMPLE 2
One number is 3 less than another number. If the sum of the two numbers is
177, find each number.
Step 1: Understand the problem.
We are looking for two numbers, and since we can write the one number in
terms of another number, we will let
x = another number
ne number is 3 less than another number:
x - 3 = one number
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EXAMPLE 2
Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).
The sum of the two numbers is 177
𝑥 − 3 + 𝑥 = 177
Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).
𝑥 − 3 + 𝑥 = 177
2𝑥 − 3 = 177
2𝑥 − 3 + 3 = 177 + 3
2𝑥 = 180
𝑥 = 90 12
EXAMPLE 2
Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).
If we add 90 and 87 (a number 3 less than 90) we do get 177.
FINAL ANSWER: One number is 90. Another number is 87.
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PERCENT PROBLEMS
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EXAMPLE 3
Find 45% of 125.
Step 1: Understand the problem.
Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.
We are looking for a number that is 45% of 125, we will let
x = the value we are looking for
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EXAMPLE 3
Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).
A number that is 45% of 125
Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).
𝑥 = .45 125
𝑥 = 56.25
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EXAMPLE 3
Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).
56.25 is 45% of 125.
FINAL ANSWER: The number is 56.25.
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EXAMPLE 4
A math class has 30 students. Approximately 70% passed their last math test.
How many students passed the last math test?
Step 1: Understand the problem.
Make sure that you read the question carefully several times.
We are looking for how many students passed the last math test, we will let
x = number of students
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EXAMPLE 4
Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).
A number is 70% 𝑜𝑓 30
𝑥 = .7(30)
Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).
𝑥 = .7 30
𝑥 = 21
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EXAMPLE 4
Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).
21 𝑖𝑠 70% 𝑜𝑓 30.
FINAL ANSWER: 21 students passed the last math test.
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EXAMPLE 5
I purchased a new tv at a local electronics store for $541.25, which included
tax. If the tax rate is 8.25%, find the price of the tv before they added the tax.
Step 1: Understand the problem.
We are looking for the price of the tv before they added the tax, we will let
x = price of the tv before tax was added.
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EXAMPLE 5
Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).
The original price plus 8.25% tax will give you the purchasing of 541.25.
𝑥 + .0825 = 541.25
Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).
𝑥 + .0825 = 541.25
1.0825𝑥 = 541.25
1.0825𝑥 541.25
=
1.0825 1.0825
𝑥 = 500
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EXAMPLE 5
Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).
If you add on 8.25% tax to 500, you would get 541.25.
FINAL ANSWER: The original price is $500.
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RECTANGLE
PROBLEM
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EXAMPLE 5
Perimeter of a Rectangle = 2(length) + 2(width)
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 1: Understand the problem.
We are looking for the length and width of the rectangle. Since length can be written in
terms of width, we will let
w = width
length is 1 inch more than 3 times the width:
1 + 3w = length
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EXAMPLE 5
Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).
Perimeter = 2 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ + 2 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ
26 = 2 1 + 3𝑤 + 2𝑤
Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).
26 = 2 1 + 3𝑤 + 2 𝑤
26 = 2 + 6𝑤 + 2𝑤
26 = 2 + 8𝑤
26 − 2 = 2 + 8𝑤 − 2
24 = 8𝑤
24 8𝑤
=
8 8
3=𝑤 26
EXAMPLE 5
Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).
If width is 3, then length, which is 1 inch more than 3 times the width would
have to be 10. The perimeter of a rectangle with width of 3 inches and length
of 10 inches does come out to be 26.
FINAL ANSWER: Width is 3 inches. Length is 10 inches.
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CONSECUTIVE
INTEGERS
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EXAMPLE 6
The sum of 3 consecutive integers is 258. Find the integers.
Step 1: Understand the problem.
We are looking for 3 consecutive integers, we will let
x = 1st consecutive integer
x + 1 = 2nd consecutive integer
x + 2 = 3rd consecutive integer
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EXAMPLE 6
Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).
The sum of 3 consecutive integers is 258.
𝑥 + 𝑥 + 1 + 𝑥 + 2 = 258
Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).
𝑥 + 𝑥 + 1 + 2 = 258
3𝑥 + 3 = 258
3𝑥 + 3 − 3 = 258 − 3
3𝑥 = 255
3𝑥 255
=
3 3
𝑥 = 85
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EXAMPLE 6
Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).
The sum of 85, 86 and 87 does check to be 258.
FINAL ANSWER: The three consecutive integers are 85, 86, and 87.
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EXAMPLE 7
The ages of 3 sisters are 3 consecutive even integers. If the sum of twice the
1st even integer, 3 times the 2nd even integer, and the 3rd even integer is 34,
find each age.
Step 1: Understand the problem.
We are looking for 3 EVEN consecutive integers, we will let
x = 1st consecutive even integer
x + 2 = 2nd consecutive even integer
x + 4 = 3rd consecutive even integer
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EXAMPLE 7
Step 2: Devise a plan (translate).
The sum of twice the 1st, 3 times the 2nd, and the 3rd is 34
2𝑥 + 3 𝑥 + 2 + 𝑥 + 4 = 34
Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve).
2𝑥 + 3 𝑥 + 2 + 𝑥 + 4 = 34
2𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 6 + 𝑥 + 4 = 34
6𝑥 + 10 = 34
6𝑥 + 10 − 10 = 34 − 10
6𝑥 = 24
𝑥=4
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EXAMPLE 7
Step 4: Look back (check and interpret).
If we take the sum of two times 4, three times 6, and 8, we do get 34
FINAL ANSWER: The ages of the three sisters are 4, 6, and 8.
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Thanks!
Any questions?
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