Problem Solving

http://bit.ly/LewisProblemSolving

"How to Teach Problem Solving"

CEMC Summer Math Teachers' Conference, Waterloo, Ontario - August 2025

CEMC2025 - Lewis - Problem Solving

Presentation Slides

CEMC Handout - How to Teach Problem Solving - Lewis

Presentation Handout

"Strategies for Problem Solving"

CEMC Summer Math Teachers' Conference - August 2019

Strategies for Problem Solving

From the CEMC Summer Teacher's Conference in 2019, Ian VanderBurgh offered the following strategies for problem solving:

Trial and Error
Just Do It
Draw a Diagram
Use Algebra
Look for Patterns
Make the Problem Simpler
Work systematically
Work backwards

Problem Prompt: Arrange the numbers from 1 to 17 on a line so that the sum of any two consecutive numbers is a perfect square.

Here are some of the suggestions that Prof VanderBurgh offers to become a better problem solver:

Practice, practice, practice
Work with better problem solvers
Try problems before reading solutions
Remember your mistakes
Make up your own problems

The following is his complete handout (PDF) with sample problems and prompts to get students using different strategies.

SummerConf2020_78_HO.pdf

The CEMC Courseware devotes an entire chapter to "Problem Solving and Mathematical Discovery". It is geared for Grade 10-11 level, but many of the strategies can be used for all grades.

Darren Luoma (SCDSB) created a GoogleSlide deck with the strategies to present to students . The posters can be printed or displayed when working on a particular problem.

Problem Solving Strategies Posters (OAME)