Mr. Underwood's 6th Grade Math Class

 

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A Student's Guide to Problem Solving

Correct way to approach Problem Solving Incorrect way to approach Problem Solving
Problem Solving Plan in 4 Steps.........

1. Clues:

  • Read the problem carefully.

  • Get a feel for the whole problem and underline clue words.

  • Ask yourself if you've seen a problem similar to this one. If so, what is similar about it?

  • What did you need to do?

  • What facts are you given? List information and the variables you identify.
    Attach units of measure to the variables (gallons, miles, inches, etc.)

  • What do you need to find out?

2. Game Plan:

  • Define your game plan.

  • Have you seen a problem like this before?

  • Identify what you did.

  • Define your strategies to solve this problem.

  • Try out your strategies. (Using formulas, simplifying, guess and check, look for a pattern, make a table, make an organized list, draw a picture or graph, work backwards, solve a simpler problem, etc.)

  • If your strategy doesn't work, it may lead you to an 'aha' moment and to a strategy that does work.

3. Solve:

  • Use your strategies to solve the problem.

  • Work in an organized manner.

  • Working clearly will help you think clearly.

      • Draw and label all graphs and pictures clearly
      • Note or explain each step of your process;
        this will help you track variables and remember their meanings

  • Certain clue words indicate certain mathematical operations: When deciding on methods or procedures to use to solve problems, the first thing you will do is look for clues which is one of the most important skills in solving problems in mathematics. If you begin to solve problems by looking for clue words, you will find that these 'words' often indicate an operation.

  Clue Words for Addition

  • sum

  • total

  • in all

  • perimeter

  • increased by

  • more than

  • combined together

  • added to

  Clue Words for Subtraction

  • difference of

  • how much more

  • exceed

  • less than

  • fewer than

  • reduced by

  • decreased by

  Clue Words for Multiplication

  • product

  • total

  • area

  • times

  • of

  • multiplied by

  Clue Words for Division

  • share

  • distribute

  • quotient

  • average

  • per

  • out of

  • ratio of

  • quotient of

  • percent (divide by 100)

Although clue words vary a bit, you'll find that there will be consistency with them to guide you to the correct operation.

4. Reflect:

  • This part is critical. Look over your solution.

  • Does it seem probable?

  • Did you answer the question?

  • Are you sure?

  • Did you answer using the language in the question?

  • Same units?

Rule 1: If at all possible, avoid reading the problem. This only consumes time and causes confusion.

Rule 2: Extract the numbers from the problem in the order they appear. Watch for numbers hidden as words.

Rule 3: If you've found three or more numbers, add them.

Rule 4: If there are only two numbers which are about the same size, subtract them.

Rule 5: If there are only two numbers and one is much smaller than the other, then divide them if it goes evenly -- otherwise multiply.

Rule 6: If the problem seems to require a formula, choose one with enough letters to use all the numbers in the problem.

Rule 7: If rules 1-6 don't seem to work, make one last attempt. Take the numbers and perform about two pages of random operations. Circle about five or six answers just in case one happens to be right. If all else fails you might get partial credit for trying hard.

Rule 8: Never spend too much time on solving word problems. These rules should get you through even the most difficult set of problems in a few minutes.

 

 

 

 

A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX :
  
1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK.
 
2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.
 
3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.
 
4.) IN LIFE, YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS,
    WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER.
 
5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF
    TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.

We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you.

 

 

 

Only great minds can read this

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too

Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.
 
i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

 

And now for the most important part of learning - and life generally…

Giving 100%

If:

A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, … , z = 26,

then:

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E

= 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 

= 96%

And:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K

= 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 

= 98%

But to arrive at 100%, we need:

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

= 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 

= 100%

 

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