Solving Problems? NO PROBLEM!!!

Did you know that one of the most important processes in doing mathematics is problem solving? Well, that is true and I am going to show you some strategies to help understand how to solve math problems in the classroom.

The description of problem solving is: a process by which an individual uses previously learned concepts, facts, and relationships, along with various reasoning skills and strategies, to answer a question or questions about a situation.

Knowing that, lets get started on how to solve a problem. There are numerous ways to solve a problem, but some problem solving strategies that might come in handy are:

• Make a model.
• Act it out.
• Choose an operation.
• Write an equation.
• Draw a diagram.
• Guess-check-revise.
• Simplify the problem.
• Make a list.
• Look for a pattern.
• Make a table.
• Use a specific case.
• Work backward.
• Use reasoning.

Problem solving strategies play an important role in planning and carrying out solutions to problems. Choosing a useful strategy or several strategies is an important problem solving skill. Check out this website as it has some great examples on how to solve math problems and the phases used to solve them. Math problem solving