Problem solving is a crucial part of learning math and often causes difficulties in the subject. It’s important to know the basics of it so you can help your child understand the concept more clearly.
What is problem solving?
It is a contextualized statement where one or more variables are missing. To identify them, one must relate the data provided, using the appropriate mathematical concepts and formulas.
Why is this important?
Problem solving activates several areas of reasoning. They call upon not only our reading skills, but also our reading comprehension skills. They also teach us how to organize our thinking by establishing a clear process. Problem solving is therefore important because the skills it calls upon are used in many everyday situations. If you know how to master them in the context of problem solving, you can apply them everywhere!
- In fact, a good way to encourage your child to be a better problem solver is showing them the importance of solving problems in the activities they enjoy, such as cooking, crafts, certain board games, video games, etc.
Need help solving a math problem?
Procedure
Solving a math problem in school consists of 4 steps :
1.What I know
During this stage, the problem is first read. Highlight or note important information of the scenario to better identify key variables and contextual clues.
2.What I am looking for
This step’s goal is to identify what needs to be solved. It can be highlighted and/or transcribed in your own words. Regardless of how you engage with the problem, the goal is to emphasize what you are looking for, so that your problem solving process becomes clearer.
3.What I do
This is the crucial step in solving a problem in math. It is a matter of planning and completing all the main steps, while leaving traces of your process and your calculations.
4.What I check
This is the time to validate your answers and correct any errors. This is also an opportunity to confirm that all the traces of your approach are present.
- Tip: In the space dedicated to problem solving, write down 4 steps of the process in a bulleted list, in order to check off each step as the method progresses.
Tips to make math problem solving easier
As we have seen, reading is an important part of problem solving. To understand properly the math exercice at hand, it is important to know what the words mean. Keeping a dictionary nearby and looking up difficult words is a good habit to adopt to better understand what you are solving.
Another tip is analyzing the vocabulary used to understand what concept to apply. For example, if we talk about the size or width of an object, we know that we must refer to the principles of geometry to solve the problem. This helps to orient your process and immediately targets the relevant formulas to remember.
Finally, the element that is probably the most important in solving a problem in math is to master the concepts seen in class. If you feel that your child is struggling with certain notions, encourage them to ask their teacher for help. If possible, you can also suggest that they go to remedial classes to review in detail what they are having difficulty with. A tutor can also be beneficial, as he or she can help your child with homework assignments and difficult concepts to grasp.
In short, problem solving is an important part of learning mathematics, so take the time to review, understand and then solve the problems as best you can!
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