A Great Basic Strategy to Solve All Math Problems
You might be amazed to learn that every math problem you ever encounter on your math worksheets can actually be solved following a few simple basic strategies. Learning how to solve mathematical problems is essentially a matter of knowing what you need to look for. All math problems need to have been based on previously established mathematical processes, meaning that all you need to know is what procedures to use and when you need to apply them to the math problem.
Many people dive right into math problems and start crunching numbers or looking for a related math formula. If you take your time and start by outlining the problem, you will see find it much easier a task. A simple three step process can help you answer just about any math related problem. The steps found below in this article outline some of the easiest processes you can use to identify the information you need, and find what strategies you need to implement to solve the problem.
The first thing to do is to look for clues. You’ll need to do basic things like read the problem carefully so that you don’t miss anything, and outline the clue words that you find in it. Be sure to ask yourself if you’ve ever seen a problem similar to this one before. Have you ever solved a problem with similar attributes? And if so, what’s so similar about it?
If you have solved a problem similar in the past, think about what you did last time. Will it work with this problem, and if not, what do you need to do to go about solving it?
Look also for the facts that you are given in the problem, which will be your biggest indication as to the strategy, you need to use to solve the problem. Think about what you need to find out. Write it down.
The next step is to determine the strategies you will use, or your ‘game plan’. You need to tell yourself what it is you’re going to do to attempt to solve the problem. Define the strategies that you’re considering using in order to solve the problem so that you know exactly what it is you need to do. Make a quick outline of the strategies.
Once you’ve found the strategies that you want to use you’ll be able to go ahead and attempt to solve the problem. Once you do this you’ll either find that you used the correct strategy, or that you’ve used the incorrect one. At that point you will realize you’ve used the wrong strategy. You will no doubt realize what strategy is the correct one through the factor that made the other strategy incorrect. It sounds complicated, but it can be simplified to a simple ‘aha!’ moment, where you suddenly realize where you went wrong.
Finally, once you’ve implemented the correct strategy you’ll be on your way to solving the problem. The last thing you need to do is reflect over the problem. Did you really solve what it needed you to solve? And is your answer correct?
Your overall goal should be learning patience with your problem solving. Follow these simple processes and you’ll be sure to solve any math problem every time.
Cris Styles is editor for Teachnology’s printable math worksheets and lesson plans center areas. Teachnology helps millions of K-12 teachers and homeschoolers every month by providing free printable educator and homeschool resources.
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