4 Steps in Solving Problems

Miacademy Learning Channel
20 Apr 201703:49

TLDRThis video outlines a four-step approach to solving math word problems: understand the problem, make a plan, carry out the plan, and check your answer. It emphasizes the importance of reading the problem carefully to identify key information and suggests using problem-solving strategies to determine the necessary operations. The script encourages persistence, noting that it's okay to make mistakes and start over, and stresses the importance of verifying the solution's reasonableness.

Takeaways

  • 📚 Understand the problem thoroughly before attempting to solve it to avoid frustration.
  • 🔍 Read the word problem carefully, identifying key words, important numbers, and the main question.
  • 🖊 Highlight or underline important information to aid in comprehension.
  • 🧠 Reread the problem multiple times to ensure full understanding.
  • 🛠 Choose an appropriate problem-solving strategy from various available methods.
  • 🔢 Consider the mathematical operations needed, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or a combination.
  • 📝 Use a notebook or scrap paper for calculations, embracing the iterative process of problem-solving.
  • 🔄 If stuck, revisit the problem and reevaluate your understanding and calculations.
  • 📉 Always check your answer for reasonableness and consistency with the problem's context.
  • 🔄 If the answer seems incorrect, revisit the problem from the beginning to ensure proper comprehension and calculation.
  • 🎯 Remember the four main steps: Understand, Plan, Carry out, and Check, and consider writing them down for reference.
  • 🎮 Continue practicing problem-solving with online games and quizzes to reinforce these strategies.

Q & A

  • What are the four main steps in solving a math word problem according to the video?

    -The four main steps are: 1. Understand the problem, 2. Make a plan, 3. Carry out the plan, 4. Check your answer.

  • Why is it important to read a word problem carefully before attempting to solve it?

    -Reading a word problem carefully ensures that you fully understand what you're looking for, which prevents frustration and the desire to give up.

  • What should you do to understand a word problem better?

    -Read it carefully once, then read it again looking for important clues like key words, important numbers, and the question the problem asks. Underlining or highlighting important information can also help.

  • Can you provide an example of how to identify important information in a word problem?

    -An example given in the script is the problem involving Alex, Max, Josie, and Suzie, where you need to identify their age relationships and the question about Max's age.

  • What should you do after understanding the problem but before solving it?

    -You should make a plan to solve the problem by choosing an appropriate problem-solving strategy and determining if you'll need to add, subtract, multiply, divide, or use a combination of these operations.

  • Where can viewers learn more about problem-solving strategies?

    -Viewers can learn more about problem-solving strategies from the site's videos labeled 'Problem Solving Strategies.'

  • How should one approach solving a word problem once they have a plan?

    -Use a notebook or scrap paper to work out the problem, even if it gets messy or requires starting over. Persistence is key in problem-solving.

  • What is the final step in solving a word problem and why is it important?

    -The final step is to check your answer to ensure it makes sense and is reasonable. This step is important for verifying the correctness of the solution.

  • What should you do if your answer doesn't seem reasonable after checking it?

    -If the answer doesn't seem reasonable, you should go back to step 1 to ensure you've understood the problem correctly, and then check your calculations.

  • Why is it recommended to write the steps for solving math word problems into a notebook?

    -Writing the steps into a notebook helps to solidify the plan for solving math word problems and serves as a reference for future problem-solving.

  • How can viewers continue practicing math word problem solving after watching the video?

    -Viewers can continue practicing with fun online games and quizzes related to math word problem solving.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Problem Solving Steps

This paragraph introduces the video on 'Steps in Problem Solving' and outlines the four main steps to solve any math word problem. The steps include understanding the problem, making a plan, carrying out the plan, and checking the answer. It emphasizes the importance of fully understanding the problem before attempting to solve it and suggests underlining or highlighting important information. An example word problem involving the ages of Alex, Max, Josie, and Suzie is provided to illustrate the process.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Problem Solving

Problem solving is a cognitive process used to find solution(s) to a problem. In the context of the video, it refers to the methodical approach of tackling math word problems. The video outlines a four-step process to effectively solve such problems, emphasizing the importance of understanding, planning, executing, and verifying the solution.

💡Understand the Problem

This is the first step in the problem-solving process described in the video. It involves reading and re-reading the word problem to grasp its essence, identifying key words, numbers, and the question being asked. For example, in the script, understanding the relationships between Alex, Max, and Josie's ages is crucial to solving the age-related problem presented.

💡Make a Plan

After understanding the problem, the next step is to devise a strategy or plan for finding the solution. The video suggests choosing from various problem-solving strategies and considering the mathematical operations needed, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division. The plan guides the approach to solving the problem efficiently.

💡Carry Out the Plan

Executing the plan involves working through the math problem using the chosen strategy. The video encourages the use of a notebook or paper for calculations, even if it becomes messy or requires starting over. Persistence is key, and if one gets stuck, the advice is to reread the problem for clarity.

💡Check Your Answer

The final step in the problem-solving process is to verify the solution. This involves reviewing the problem and the answer to ensure that it is logical and makes sense within the context of the problem. If the answer seems unreasonable, the video suggests revisiting the initial steps to ensure a correct understanding and calculation.

💡Key Words

Key words are the critical terms or phrases within a word problem that provide essential information for solving it. The video script mentions underlining or highlighting these words for emphasis, such as 'younger' and 'older' in the age comparison problem, which indicate relationships between the individuals involved.

💡Important Numbers

Important numbers are the numerical values within a word problem that are necessary for performing calculations. In the script, the numbers '1' and '8' are highlighted as they relate to the ages of Alex, Max, Josie, and Suzie, and are essential for determining Max's age.

💡Question

The question in a word problem is the specific inquiry that the problem is designed to answer. In the video, the question 'How old is Max?' directs the viewer to focus on finding Max's age, which is the ultimate goal of the problem-solving process.

💡Problem Solving Strategies

These are various techniques or methods that can be employed to solve problems. The video refers to other videos on the site that teach different strategies, such as looking for clues and key words, which help viewers to determine the appropriate mathematical operations to use.

💡Reasonable

In the context of the video, a 'reasonable' answer is one that aligns with the expected outcome based on the information provided in the word problem. It is used to describe an answer that makes logical sense and does not contradict the given data or relationships.

💡Persistence

Persistence is the continued effort to solve a problem despite difficulties or setbacks. The video encourages viewers not to give up, even if the problem-solving process is challenging or requires multiple attempts, highlighting the importance of perseverance in problem-solving.

💡Logical

A logical answer or solution is one that follows a clear and rational thought process based on the information given. The video emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the final answer is not only correct but also logically derived from the problem's details.

Highlights

Learn the 4 main steps for solving any type of math word problem.

First step: Understand the problem before attempting to solve it.

Read the problem carefully, looking for key words and important numbers.

Highlight important information to aid in understanding.

Example problem: Determine Max's age based on relationships with Alex and Josie.

Reread the problem multiple times to ensure full comprehension.

Second step: Make a plan to solve the problem using problem-solving strategies.

Explore various problem-solving strategies available on the site.

Determine the necessary operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.

Third step: Carry out the plan, using a notebook or scrap paper for calculations.

Persistence is key; don't give up if the solution is not immediately apparent.

If stuck, reread the problem and reassess the plan.

Fourth step: Check your answer for reasonableness and correctness.

Ensure the answer makes sense within the context of the problem.

If the answer is not reasonable, revisit the problem and recalculate.

Develop a solid plan for tackling math word problems with these 4 strategies.

Consider writing down these steps for future reference.

Practice problem-solving with online games and quizzes to reinforce learning.

Always approach problem-solving with cleverness and determination.