Problem Solving Strategies

[ Use Manipulatives

Students use manipulatives to show solutions to a problem or to help them solve a problem.

[ Draw a Diagram

Students illustrate or sketch the characteristics of the problem

and use the information to solve the problem.

[ Find a Pattern

Students examine the existing elements to find a pattern,

determine the rule of the pattern and what comes next.

[ Act it Out

Students act out a problem in order to physically see what the solution is.

[ Make a List

Students list all the possibilities or arrangements in an organized way.

[ Guess and check

Students estimate, guess and answer, then test it.

Each successive guess is evaluated and narrows the possibilities until a solution is found.

[ Choose the Operation(s)

Students arrange the operations in a proper order and make the calculations to solve the problem.

[ Make a Table

Students construct a table which shows a relationship between two

or more pieces of data and extend the entries to give new information.

[ Use Logic

Students eliminate each case which does not met the criteria stated in the problem.

Incorrect responses finally lead to “what’s left” or the solution.

[ Solve a Simpler Problem

Students break down a complex problem into simpler problems that can be solved more easily.

[ Works Backwards

Students begin with a known fact and work backwards to solve a problem.

[ Use a Data Bank

Students locate missing information in a data bank and use it to solve the problem.

[ Make Assumptions

Students make a reasonable assumption and follow through to solve the problem.

[ Draw and Read Graphs

Students draw a graph using collected data and use the graph to solve the problem.

[ Use a Formula

Students choose the proper formula and use the formula to solve a problem.