ERIC Number: EJ1110750
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016-Aug
Pages: 5
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0025-5769
EISSN: N/A
Looking Back to Support Problem Solving
Dickman, Benjamin
Mathematics Teacher, v110 n1 p54-58 Aug 2016
Guessing, for Pólya, is an important way of getting an initial handle on a mathematical problem. An argument can be made to place guessing in any one of the first three steps of the four-step approach to problem solving as described in "How to Solve It" (Pólya 1945). It could be a part of understanding the problem, devising a plan, or carrying out the plan. Guessing can occur throughout the problem-solving process. Traditionally, guessing is incorporated into the work toward a solution. The authors advocate a different approach--guessing that occurs after the problem has already been solved. In this article, the author considers instead placing it in the final step--looking back.
Descriptors: Problem Solving, Mathematics Instruction, Calculus, Fractions, Algebra, Guessing (Tests), Mathematics Teachers, Mathematics Education, Teaching Methods, Intuition, Word Problems (Mathematics), Mathematics
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-9840; Fax: 703-476-2570; e-mail: NCTM@nctm.org; Web site: http://www.nctm.org/publications/mathematics-teacher/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A