Guided Notes p. 78
Math 306
Chapter 6 – Problem Solving
Student objectives/focus questions for this lesson:
1. Students should be able to contrast problem solving to practicing exercises.
2. Students should be able describe factors for success in problem solving.
3. Problem solve by acting it out and making a drawing or diagram.
4. List and apply Polya’s four-step plan to problem solving.
1. a) Act out the following: There are five people in a group and each shakes
hands with every other person. How many handshakes take place in a group? ________
b) Draw/diagram what took place and write down what each part of your diagrams represents.
2. a) Solve the following problem in your head:
Amy’s exercise rout is running on a circular track. There are six cones evenly spaced around
the track. It takes her 1 min to go from the first cone to the third cone. How long would it
take for her to travel around the entire track? Explain to a classmate how you came-up with
your solution. And record the key elements of your explanation.
b. Diagram the following problem and use that to check your answer.
