Standard Word Problem: Jack's family plans to rent a camping trailer for vacation. The rent is $22.50 a day. What will it cost to rent the camping trailer for one week?
A Problem that Requires Problem Solving: Drew and Addie are playing a game. At the end of each game, the loser gives the winner a chip. When they are done playing several games, Drew has won three games, but Addie has three more chips than she had when the game began. How many games did Drew and Addie play?
So what happens when your students try to do the process problem above and they have no idea what to do? In my last posting, I listed ten reasons why students get stuck when problem solving. Now let's consider why students get stuck in the first place.
- You tried to rush through the problem without thinking.
- You did not read the problem carefully.
- You don't know what the problem is asking for.
- You don't have enough information.
- You are looking for an answer that the problem isn't asking for.
- The strategy you are using doesn't work for this particular problem.
- You are not applying or using your strategy correctly.
- You failed to combine your strategy with another strategy.
- The problem has more than one answer.
- The problem cannot be solved.
Since students today tend to be more visual than anything else, a graphic organizer becomes a valuable math tool. The Triangular Graphic Organizer is generic so that it can be used to solve all kinds of formula problems such as: d=rt, A=lw, or c2 = a2 + b2. This five page handout explains in detail how to use the graphic organizer. It also contains several examples as well as a page of blank triangular graphic organizers to copy and use in your classroom.
Want the answer to the process problem?
Check out the page above entitled: Answers to Problems.
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