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Polya Problem Solving

George Polya's 4 step approach to problem solving includes: 1) understanding the problem by analyzing what is given and required, 2) devising a plan or strategy to solve the problem by identifying connections between known and unknown information, 3) carrying out the plan by carefully applying the strategy, and 4) looking back on the solution to ensure it satisfies the requirements and determine if a different approach is needed.

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56 views11 pages

Polya Problem Solving

George Polya's 4 step approach to problem solving includes: 1) understanding the problem by analyzing what is given and required, 2) devising a plan or strategy to solve the problem by identifying connections between known and unknown information, 3) carrying out the plan by carefully applying the strategy, and 4) looking back on the solution to ensure it satisfies the requirements and determine if a different approach is needed.

Uploaded by

GerardPorter
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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George Polyas Problem Solving

Approach

Four Step approach to Problem


Solving
Understanding the Problem

Devising a Plan

Carry out the Plan

Looking Back
Understanding the Problem
Interacting with the task to find out:

1. what information is given


2. what is required of me
3. what conditions are given
Is it possible to satisfy the conditions?

Are the conditions sufficient to determine


the unknown?

Or are they insufficient? Or redundant? Or


contradictory?

Separate the various parts of the conditions.

Can you write them down?


Devising a Plan

Organizing a strategy (action plan)


that is appropriate and efficient
Some activities which could guide the
construction of an effective plan

Identify the connection between the data


and the unknown.

Could you restate the problem? Could


you restate it still differently? Go back
to definitions.
Do you know a related problem? Do
you know a theorem that could be
useful?

Look at the unknown! Try to think of


a familiar problem having the same
or a similar unknown.
Here are some problem Solving Strategies

Consider special cases


Carry out the Plan
Apply your plan of action (strategy)

Exercise care and patience

Do not giving to being stuck

If the strategy does not yield success,


discard and try another
Check each step.

Can you see clearly that the step is


correct?

Can you prove that it is correct?


Looking Back
Reflect Reflect and Reflect

Reflect on:
what you have done
what you have achieved

Determine if your solution satisfies the


requirement of the problem

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