How to Solve It*

1. Understand the Problem

Say it aloud.
What are your asked to find or show?
Can you restate the problem in your own words?
What do you know?
What do you need to know?
Do you have enough information?
What questions do you have?
Can you draw a picture or a diagram?

(* based on the work of George Polya)

2. Devise a Plan

talk to other people
use resources
choose a strategy

Problem Solving Strategies

make a prediction
guess and check
make an orderly list
eliminate possibilities
consider special cases
look for a pattern
draw a picture or a diagram
use objects

solve a simpler problem
reason logically
brainstorm
write an equation
solve an equation
work backwards
use a formula
be ingenious

3. Carry Out Your Plan

mathematize
do calculations
be persistent
refine and revise

4. Examine the Solution

Does the answer make sense?
Can you find the result differently?
Can you use the method for a different problem?

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