Problem-Solving Strategies
By Mari Taira
Introduction
I. Act Out or Use Objects
II. Draw a Picture or Diagram
III. Draw a Table
This is an example of a word problem that could be solved with a table:
Fiona got chocolate candies for good behavior every month. In January, she got 2. In February, she got 10. In March, she got 18. If the pattern continued, how many chocolate candies would she have gotten in June?
IV. Make an Organized List
This is an example of a word problem in which a list may help:
You earn extra money during the summer by mowing your neighbors' lawns. You can mow five lawns an hour and need to mow 37 lawns. How long will it take you to mow all the lawns?
V. Guess and Check
This is an example of a word problem that requires guess and check:
Sally is thinking of two numbers. The product of the two numbers is thirty-six. The sum of the two numbers is 15. What are the 2 numbers?
VI. Find a Pattern
VII. Work Backwards
This is an example of a word problem that requires working backwards:
Katherine bought some chocolate bars. She ate 3 of those chocolate bars. Then she bought 5 more chocolate bars and ate two of those. She has four chocolate bars left. How many bars did she have in the beginning?
VIII. Use Logical Reasoning
IX. Make it Simpler
This is an example of a word problem with extra information:
Sammy found 2 folders, four markers, and some crayons. He found twelve times as many crayons than markers. How many crayons did he find?