Categorieën: Alle - mathematics - strategies - techniques - creativity

door Thomas Teepe 4 jaren geleden

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Solving Math Problems

The discussion focuses on strategies for solving mathematical problems using a variety of creative techniques. It emphasizes the combination of objects and actions as a fundamental approach, which can generate numerous innovative ideas to address mathematical challenges.

Solving Math Problems

Solving Math Problems

This map contains a number of ideas on solving math problems.

The map deals with general problem solving tools that are not specific for one area, e.g. you will find nothing specific on dealing with polynomes or inequalities.

Most of the ideas are taken from the following sources:

Engel, Arthur: Problem Solving Strategies

Polya, George: How To Solve It

Zeitz, Paul: The Art and Craft of Problem Solving

additional information

Math Problem Solving: Links
Art of Problem Solving
several articles on scribd.com

Mind Mapping and Math Problem Solving

Mathematical Problem Solving and Mind Mapping

Mathematical Problem Solving Strategies
Tips on Problem Solving
MATHCOUNTS article on Problem-Solving strategies
Heuristixx: Math Problem Solving and Mind Mapping
Fifty Problem Solving Strategies Explained
Problem Solving area of the nzmaths website.
Changes tothis map
new "SCREAM" tool added
How to use this map

Here are a number of ideas how you can use this map.

modify this map

There are a number of ways to modify this map.

a) Modify t h i s map.

b) Modify a copy of this map. With a view to collective knowledge, a) seems preferable.

However, mindomo has not (yet) version management functions, so all previous versions of this map are lost.

If you modify this map - could you please leave a note at the "Log and Comments" branch?

print this map

Here are some ideas on printing:

If you are logged in as a mindomo user, you have a number of export functions:

- export to pdf

- export to image file: png, jpg

- export to text: rtf, txt

If you want to print the map as an image, choose the branches you are interested in and hide the rest.

The map is large, so use the largest paper size you can manage.

You can use the print as a problem solving poster.

read this map

staying functional during problem solving

persist
breathe deeply and calmly
remember previous successes
exercise
eat / drink something
work in a new setting
take a break
sleep over it
talk to someone

getting information

use the internet
use math databases
use newsgroups
use forums
email people
use literature
journals
books
math reviews
ask people
experts
fellow students
teachers

analyzing: look for ...

SPLENDID

To memorize common methods of analyzing math problems, we use the keyword SPLENDID - it stands for

S: look for SYMMETRIES

P: look for PATTERNS

L: look at LIMITS

E: look at EXTREME cases

N: is a rather useful letter in this keyword;-)

D: collect DATA

I: look for INVARIANTS

D: take a more / less DETAILED look

details - take a more / less detailed look

I

invariants - look for invariants

D

data - collect data

organize data

in mind maps

in trees

in tables

N

extremes - look at extreme cases

L

limits - look at limits

P

patterns - look for patterns

symmetry - look for symmetries

creating ideas for math problem solving

basic concept: combine OBJECTS and ACTIONS

Combining OBJECTS and ACTIONS is basically a math creativity technique:

It leads to a large number of seminal ideas to tackle a (math) problem.

The underlying ideas are of course not restricted to m a t h problem solving.

ACTIONS

To make the actions easier to memorize, we use the keyword "SCREAM".

It will be clear in a moment how this is meant - look at the next branches.

You may have guessed that I'm not a native speaker of English. So if someone comes up with better keywords - help is greatly appreciated.

manipulate

To remember some of the most important mathematical manipulation actions, we use the keyword SCREAM - it stands for

S: substitute

C: combine; create

R: rearrange; reverse

E: eliminate

A: adapt

M: modify; magnify, minimize

(This is largely inspired by Michael Michalkos "SCAMPER" creativity technique.)

SCREAM

M

minimize

magnify

modify

A

add

adapt

E

exchange

eliminate

R

reverse

rearrange

C

create

combine

S

substitute

OBJECTS

search direction

backward

forward

math objects

relations

inequalities

equations

matrices

sets

numbers

functions

general math tools

series

graphs

complex numbers

representions of the problem

Finding an appropriate representation of a problem is often crucial for finding a solution.

Example: A problem may be very ugly in cartesian coordinates, but can be treated nicely in polar coordinates.

algorithms

geometry

coordinate systems

algebra

number representations

......

binary

number systems

proof techniques

These proof techniques are standard. More information can be found in

Arthur Engel: Problem Solving Strategies

Paul Zeitz: The Art and Craft of Problem Solving

using symmetry

pigeonhole principle

using extremal cases

using invariance

by induction

by contradiction

by direct proof

problem elements

From a v e r y abstract point of view, a problem consists of

- the unknown

- the data and

- the condition.

This idea is taken from George Polya's "How to Solve It".

What is the condition?

What are the data?

What is the unknown?