Problem-Solving Strategies for Efficient and Elegant Solutions, Grades 6-12

A Resource for the Mathematics Teacher
Second Edition
Alfred S. Posamentier - Mercy College, New York, USA
Stephen Krulik - Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Problem-Solving Strategies for Efficient and Elegant Solutions, Grades 6-12
March 2008 | 280 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452295572
Available from January 0001
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ISBN: 9781412959698
Available from January 0001

Description

"The authors have provided a unique, strategy-focused resource supported by a wealth of engaging examples that mathematics teachers can readily use to help students develop a more purposeful, systematic, and successful approach to problem solving."
—Howard W. Smith, Superintendent
Public Schools of the Tarrytowns, Sleepy Hollow, NY

"Helps both new and veteran teachers better understand the nature of problem solving as a critical mathematics process. The authors present in very simple terms the strategies that are the backbone of mathematics instruction. This indispensable material is useful at all levels, from basic stages to advanced student work to the development of top problem solvers."
—Daniel Jaye, Principal
Bergen County Academies, Hackensack, NJ

Help students become skilled and confident problem solvers!

Demonstrating there is always more than one approach to solving a problem, well-known authors and educators Alfred S. Posamentier and Stephen Krulik present ten basic strategies that are effective for finding solutions to a wide range of mathematics problems. These tried-and-true methods—including working backwards, finding a pattern, adopting a different point of view, solving a simpler analogous problem, and making a visual representation—make problem solving easier, neater, and more understandable for students as well as teachers.
Providing numerous sample problems that illustrate how mathematics teachers and specialists can incorporate these techniques into their mathematics curriculum, this updated edition also includes:

  • A variety of new problems that show how to use the strategies
  • References to current NCTM standards
  • Solutions to the problems in each chapter
  • Extensive discussions of the empowering strategies used to solve sample problems

The second edition of Problem-Solving Strategies for Efficient and Elegant Solutions, Grades 6–12 helps teachers develop students' creative problem-solving skills for success in and out of school.

Contents

Preface

Preface

About the Authors

About the Authors

1. Introduction to Problem-Solving Strategies

1. Introduction to Problem-Solving Strategies

2. Working Backwards

  • The Working Backwards Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Working Backwards Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Working Backwards Strategy

3. Finding a Pattern

  • The Finding a Pattern Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Finding a Pattern Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Finding a Pattern Strategy

4. Adopting a Different Point of View

  • The Adopting a Different Point of View Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Adopting a Different Point of View Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Adopting a Different Point of View Strategy

5. Solving a Simpler Analogous Problem

  • The Solving a Simpler Analogous Problem Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Solving a Simpler Analogous Problem Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Solving a Simpler Analogous Problem Strategy

6. Considering Extreme Cases

  • The Considering Extreme Cases Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Considering Extreme Cases Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Considering Extreme Cases Strategy

7. Making a Drawing (Visual Representation)

  • The Making a Drawing (Visual Representation) Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Making a Drawing (Visual Representation) Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Making a Drawing (Visual Representation) Strategy

8. Intelligent Guessing and Testing (Including Approximation)

  • The Intelligent Guessing and Testing (Including Approximation) Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Intelligent Guessing and Testing (Including Approximation) Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Intelligent Guessing and Testing (Including Approximation) Strategy

9. Accounting for All Possibilities

  • The Accounting for All Possibilities Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Accounting for All Possibilities Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Accounting for All Possibilities Strategy

10. Organizing Data

  • The Organizing Data Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Organizing Data Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Organizing Data Strategy

11. Logical Reasoning

  • The Logical Reasoning Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Logical Reasoning Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Logical Reasoning Strategy

Afterword by Herbert A. Hauptman

Afterword by Herbert A. Hauptman

Sources for Problems

Sources for Problems

Readings on Problem Solving

Readings on Problem Solving

Index

Index

Additional materials

Description

"The authors have provided a unique, strategy-focused resource supported by a wealth of engaging examples that mathematics teachers can readily use to help students develop a more purposeful, systematic, and successful approach to problem solving."
—Howard W. Smith, Superintendent
Public Schools of the Tarrytowns, Sleepy Hollow, NY

"Helps both new and veteran teachers better understand the nature of problem solving as a critical mathematics process. The authors present in very simple terms the strategies that are the backbone of mathematics instruction. This indispensable material is useful at all levels, from basic stages to advanced student work to the development of top problem solvers."
—Daniel Jaye, Principal
Bergen County Academies, Hackensack, NJ

Help students become skilled and confident problem solvers!

Demonstrating there is always more than one approach to solving a problem, well-known authors and educators Alfred S. Posamentier and Stephen Krulik present ten basic strategies that are effective for finding solutions to a wide range of mathematics problems. These tried-and-true methods—including working backwards, finding a pattern, adopting a different point of view, solving a simpler analogous problem, and making a visual representation—make problem solving easier, neater, and more understandable for students as well as teachers.
Providing numerous sample problems that illustrate how mathematics teachers and specialists can incorporate these techniques into their mathematics curriculum, this updated edition also includes:

  • A variety of new problems that show how to use the strategies
  • References to current NCTM standards
  • Solutions to the problems in each chapter
  • Extensive discussions of the empowering strategies used to solve sample problems

The second edition of Problem-Solving Strategies for Efficient and Elegant Solutions, Grades 6–12 helps teachers develop students' creative problem-solving skills for success in and out of school.

Contents

Preface

Preface

About the Authors

About the Authors

1. Introduction to Problem-Solving Strategies

1. Introduction to Problem-Solving Strategies

2. Working Backwards

  • The Working Backwards Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Working Backwards Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Working Backwards Strategy

3. Finding a Pattern

  • The Finding a Pattern Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Finding a Pattern Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Finding a Pattern Strategy

4. Adopting a Different Point of View

  • The Adopting a Different Point of View Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Adopting a Different Point of View Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Adopting a Different Point of View Strategy

5. Solving a Simpler Analogous Problem

  • The Solving a Simpler Analogous Problem Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Solving a Simpler Analogous Problem Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Solving a Simpler Analogous Problem Strategy

6. Considering Extreme Cases

  • The Considering Extreme Cases Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Considering Extreme Cases Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Considering Extreme Cases Strategy

7. Making a Drawing (Visual Representation)

  • The Making a Drawing (Visual Representation) Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Making a Drawing (Visual Representation) Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Making a Drawing (Visual Representation) Strategy

8. Intelligent Guessing and Testing (Including Approximation)

  • The Intelligent Guessing and Testing (Including Approximation) Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Intelligent Guessing and Testing (Including Approximation) Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Intelligent Guessing and Testing (Including Approximation) Strategy

9. Accounting for All Possibilities

  • The Accounting for All Possibilities Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Accounting for All Possibilities Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Accounting for All Possibilities Strategy

10. Organizing Data

  • The Organizing Data Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Organizing Data Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Organizing Data Strategy

11. Logical Reasoning

  • The Logical Reasoning Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Logical Reasoning Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Logical Reasoning Strategy

Afterword by Herbert A. Hauptman

Afterword by Herbert A. Hauptman

Sources for Problems

Sources for Problems

Readings on Problem Solving

Readings on Problem Solving

Index

Index

Additional materials

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Problem-Solving Strategies for Efficient and Elegant Solutions, Grades 6-12

A Resource for the Mathematics Teacher


March 2008 | 280 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Hardcover 27/02/2023 9781412959698 $95.95
Paperback 27/02/2023 9781412959704 $43.95
Lifetime 27/02/2023 9781452295572 $40.00

"The authors have provided a unique, strategy-focused resource supported by a wealth of engaging examples that mathematics teachers can readily use to help students develop a more purposeful, systematic, and successful approach to problem solving."
—Howard W. Smith, Superintendent
Public Schools of the Tarrytowns, Sleepy Hollow, NY

"Helps both new and veteran teachers better understand the nature of problem solving as a critical mathematics process. The authors present in very simple terms the strategies that are the backbone of mathematics instruction. This indispensable material is useful at all levels, from basic stages to advanced student work to the development of top problem solvers."
—Daniel Jaye, Principal
Bergen County Academies, Hackensack, NJ

Help students become skilled and confident problem solvers!

Demonstrating there is always more than one approach to solving a problem, well-known authors and educators Alfred S. Posamentier and Stephen Krulik present ten basic strategies that are effective for finding solutions to a wide range of mathematics problems. These tried-and-true methods—including working backwards, finding a pattern, adopting a different point of view, solving a simpler analogous problem, and making a visual representation—make problem solving easier, neater, and more understandable for students as well as teachers.
Providing numerous sample problems that illustrate how mathematics teachers and specialists can incorporate these techniques into their mathematics curriculum, this updated edition also includes:

  • A variety of new problems that show how to use the strategies
  • References to current NCTM standards
  • Solutions to the problems in each chapter
  • Extensive discussions of the empowering strategies used to solve sample problems

The second edition of Problem-Solving Strategies for Efficient and Elegant Solutions, Grades 6–12 helps teachers develop students' creative problem-solving skills for success in and out of school.


Table Of Contents:

  • Preface
  • About the Authors
  • 1. Introduction to Problem-Solving Strategies
  • 2. Working Backwards
  • The Working Backwards Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Working Backwards Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Working Backwards Strategy
  • 3. Finding a Pattern
  • The Finding a Pattern Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Finding a Pattern Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Finding a Pattern Strategy
  • 4. Adopting a Different Point of View
  • The Adopting a Different Point of View Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Adopting a Different Point of View Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Adopting a Different Point of View Strategy
  • 5. Solving a Simpler Analogous Problem
  • The Solving a Simpler Analogous Problem Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Solving a Simpler Analogous Problem Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Solving a Simpler Analogous Problem Strategy
  • 6. Considering Extreme Cases
  • The Considering Extreme Cases Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Considering Extreme Cases Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Considering Extreme Cases Strategy
  • 7. Making a Drawing (Visual Representation)
  • The Making a Drawing (Visual Representation) Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Making a Drawing (Visual Representation) Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Making a Drawing (Visual Representation) Strategy
  • 8. Intelligent Guessing and Testing (Including Approximation)
  • The Intelligent Guessing and Testing (Including Approximation) Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Intelligent Guessing and Testing (Including Approximation) Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Intelligent Guessing and Testing (Including Approximation) Strategy
  • 9. Accounting for All Possibilities
  • The Accounting for All Possibilities Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Accounting for All Possibilities Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Accounting for All Possibilities Strategy
  • 10. Organizing Data
  • The Organizing Data Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Organizing Data Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Organizing Data Strategy
  • 11. Logical Reasoning
  • The Logical Reasoning Strategy in Everyday Life Problem-Solving Situations
  • Applying the Logical Reasoning Strategy to Solve Mathematics Problems
  • Problems Using the Logical Reasoning Strategy
  • Afterword by Herbert A. Hauptman
  • Sources for Problems
  • Readings on Problem Solving
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"Each chapter covers a different strategy and includes problems that could be solved using that strategy. This would be a great resource for any secondary mathematics teacher and a wonderful resource for the mathematics teacher educator."
MAA Reviews, July 2008, Mathematical Association of America
“The authors have provided a uniquely strategy-focused resource supported by a wealth of engaging examples that mathematics teachers can readily use to help students develop a more purposeful, systematic, and successful approach to problem solving.”
Howard W. Smith, Superintendent, Public Schools of the Tarrytowns, Sleepy Hollow, NY
"This terrific resource helps both new and veteran teachers better understand the nature of problem solving as a critical mathematics process. In very simple terms, the authors present and illuminate the strategies that are the backbone of mathematics instruction. This indispensable material is useful at all levels, from basic stages to advanced student work to the development of top problem solvers."
Daniel Jaye, Principal, Bergen County Academies, Hackensack, NJ

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