8_Math

PROBLEMS for Math Problem Solving

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1. Listen Better
2. Comprehend your reading
3. Learn more effectively
4. Take better notes
5. Summarize your learning
6. Do better on tests
7. Organize your writing
8. Solve math word problems
9. Manage your time
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Quick Question
	Do you feel 'queasy' when you are asked to solve a word problem? Are you able to follow when the instructor or a tutor does the problem but you are not able to do the word problem independently? Can you do some word problems easily but with others, you have trouble starting out the question and figuring out what they want the question is asking?
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Learning Outcome
	After you have learnt and practiced the PROBLEMS strategy you will be able to solve math word problems in a organized manner.
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What is the Strategy?
	PROBLEMS is an eight step process for solving math word problems. It is a strategy that assists you to work out problems in an organized, systematic way and allows you to learn while doing it. It can be used for problems in math, science and out of school problems (you actually solve hundreds of problems each day). For example: What clothes to wear? What is the quickest way to . . ? Which is a better value . . . or . . . ?
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Guided Practice
	Choose a math word problem such as the donkey and chickens problem on the back of the one page handout and do each step of PROBLEMS. Problem, what is the problem you are trying to solve? Put the problem into your own words. You need to know what you are solving for before you can solve it. Record what is known about the problem. Summarize in your own words and symbols the known information. Observe a diagram, table or illustration of the situation. Draw or sketch a visual to help you recall other information. Brainstorm all you know about this problem. Problem type, methods of solving, impact on others and information sources. What concepts, ideas and operations learned from experience may apply here. List estimated or possible solutions. In math and science, give a numerical estimate with units and in other situations write out possible solutions. Engage in solving the problem. Use one or more of the POSITIVE methods described on side 2 of the PROBLEMS Bookmark. Make a check to find if the solution solves the problem. Check back to the problem and your estimate, then write a sentence using the words from original problem. Smile, what are variations to this problem? Think about other problems similar to this problem. You will be able to come up with many that should be recorded and thought about. Also, how this problem could be done differently to get either the same or a different answer. Do each of the steps fully and check your progress.
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Apply the Strategy
	Each time you have a problem to work out whether it is a math word problem or some decision you need to make, use the PROBLEMS steps.
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Summarize the Strategy
	Close you eyes and reflect on one math word problem you have done lately and remember the steps of problem solving using the letters of PROBLEMS to assist your remembering.
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So where to from here?
	Problem solving ability is developed by using the PROBLEMS strategy on all problems (even on the “easy to solve” problems) until the strategy becomes a habit, and you can use it on any math word problem.
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Carry around Bookmark
	Print out the PROBLEMS Bookmark to use as a reminder when you do word problems.
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One page handout
	Print out the PROBLEMS Handout with the steps on the front and the famous 'donkey and chicken' word problem worked out on the back.
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copyright 2002 Roger Moore