Unit sec 5.1

Unit 2 sec 5.1 some problems - solving strategies

30 October 2015

23:10

In this unit you have seen how some everyday problems can be investigated by using mathematics. One way of tackling such real life problems is to use the modelling cycle. In fact, the steps in the modelling cycle of fairly familiar to those that you use when you tackle mathematics problem, whether it is a practical problem or something more abstract, as summarised in the box below.

Tips for tackling mathematics problems

v check you understand the problem - and if you are not sure, talk to people (your tutor, fellow students, friends) until you do.

v Collect information that will help you to solve it - this may be data, but it can also include techniques that you have used before. That may help you in this case too. What do you want to find out, and what do you know already?

v Simplify the problem. If you can - this may include trying some numerical examples. First of breaking the problem down into smaller, achievable steps.

v Carry out the mathematics. Remember, there are often several different ways of tackling the problem, including numerically way and graphically, which may give different insights. Drawing a diagram often helps too.

v Check that your answers are reasonable and rounded appropriately.

Drawing a diagram is a good way of obtaining different you all a problem. You use diagrams to help with formulas and inequalities. Diagrams can also be used as part of your notes, to hand you to connect different ideas together and to remember key ideas related problems.

A diagram that is very useful for remembering the following formulas.

Speed =, time = , distance = speed × time.

You should decide which quantity you need on the left-hand side of the formula, and cover up that quantity, then look at the precision of the remaining two quantities.