Problem Solving

1. Read the problem for understanding

Are there any words or situations you don't understand?

Just like a football player needs to know the Strategy, we need to have a strategy in mind as we approach written math questions! We need to slow down and have a plan!

Marshmallow Peeps All In a Row

Marshmallow Peeps come 10 in a package. Each peep is 5.2 centimeters long.

How long will 1 package of peeps be if each peep is lined up in a row with 1.6 centimeters between them? How long would 2 packages of peeps be if each peep is lined up in a row with 1.6 centimeters between them? How long would 3 packages of peeps be if each peep is lined up in a row with 1.6 centimeters between them? How long will 75 peeps be if they are lined up in a row with 1.6 centimeters between them?

Can you write a rule to determine how long any number of peeps would be lined up in a row with 1.6 centimeters between them?

Show all your work. Make a math representation and use as much math language as you can.

Lets look at page 26, question 1.Two bike riders are 150 km apart and travelling toward each other. One rider is going west at 15 km per hour. The other is going east at 10 km per hour. How long will it take until the two riders meet?

2. State what you just read, including the goal. This needs to be done out loud to start.

3. Read the problem for analysis. Circle any words or facts that will help you solve the problem.

Marshmallow Peeps All In a Row

Marshmallow Peeps come 10 in a package. Each peep is 5.2 centimeters long.

How long will 1 package of peeps be if each peep is lined up in a row with 1.6 centimeters between them? How long would 2 packages of peeps be if each peep is lined up in a row with 1.6 centimeters between them? How long would 3 packages of peeps be if each peep is lined up in a row with 1.6 centimeters between them? How long will 75 peeps be if they are lined up in a row with 1.6 centimeters between them?

Can you write a rule to determine how long any number of peeps would be lined up in a row with 1.6 centimeters between them?

Show all your work. Make a math representation and use as much math language as you can.

Lets look at page 26, question 1.

Two bike riders are 150 km apart and travelling toward each other. One rider is going west at 15 km per hour. The other is going east at 10 km per hour. How long will it take until the two riders meet?

4. Make a plan. This may be work backwards, guess and check, use a diagram, equation, etc. Choose from a problem solving strategy from the posters in your classroom

5. Make an external representation. This may be a diagram, chart, tally sheet, equation, list of numbers. This is one of the most important parts of solving the problem! This is where we take ourthinking and put it down on paper. We need to show sound reasoning, and logic.

It is very important that we use and record logical reasoning!

6. Carry out the plan (solve the equation or compute the answer)

7. Is the answer reasonable?

8. Check your answer to prove your solution

9. Answer the question in complete sentences, in the context of the question, and including units

Practice:

You are delivering mail in an office building

You leave the mail room and enter the elevator next door. You go up four floors, down seven and up nine to the executive offices on the top floor. Then you go down six, up two, and down eight to the lobby on the first floor. What floor is the mail room on?

Connections:

Math to Math?

Math to self?

Math to Real Life situations?

Extensions?