Problem solving strategies:

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1. Look for a pattern
2. Make an organized list
3. Draw a table
4. Guess and check (Trial and improvement)
5. Work backwards
6. Use logical reasoning
7. Draw a diagram
8. Solve a simpler problem

In the next few lessons we will look at the different strategies to solve mathematical problems:

• Lesson 1- Look for a pattern and make an organized list
• Lesson 2 - Draw a table and Guess and check
• Lesson 3 - Work backward and use logical reasoning
• Lesson 4 - Draw a diagram and solve a simpler problem

1.  Look for a pattern:

Sometimes the numbers in a problem form a pattern.  To solve the problem, you need to find the rule that creates that specific pattern and then you can find the answer.

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Example:

The netball team of a school wants to sell raffle tickets.  There are 8 players in a team.  Each player has to sell 5 tickets.

How many tickets will 2 teams sell?

NOTE:  The 1st player sells 5 tickets, The 2nd player 10 tickets, 3rd player 15 tickets etc,   8 players will sell 40 tickets in total.  Therefore 2 teams will sell 80 tickets in total.  

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Activity:

A ball drops from a building that is 40 meters high.  On the first bounce, the ball reaches a height of 25 meters.  On the second bounce, it reaches a height of 20 meters.  On the third bounce it reaches a height of 15 meters.  How high will the ball rebound on bounce 4 and 5?

2.  Make an organized list:

Sometime we have to find a number of ways in which something can be done.  To solve this specific problem, we have to list all the different ways in which it can happen.

Example:  

Toss a coin up in the air 3 times.  Write the possible outcomes for this event

• Turn 1:  Heads or tails
• Turns 2:  Heads or tails
• Turn 3:  Heads or tails

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Because a coin can only land on either heads or tails, the outcome for each event will be heads or tails.  There will be 6 possible outcomes for this event.

Activity:

The Primary School has 4 grade 1 classes.  4 Teachers must be allocated to be these grade 1's register teachers.  In how many different ways can the 4 teachers be allocated to the classes?