3rd Class Mental Ability Problem-Solving Problem Solving

Problem - Solving

OBJECTIVE

•    Students will identify different problem solving styles and methods.
•    They will apply methods to specific problems.
•     A problem-solving approach can be used to encourage students to make generalization about rules and concepts.
•     It develops students? confidence in their own ability to think mathematically.
•     Students will learn the use of one piece of information in the problem.
•    They will organize the given information 

Introduction

Problem solving is a process of working through details of a problem to reach a solution.

Direction (Example 1): Read the given information carefully and answer the following question.

·      Latika weighs 40 kg.

·      Beena weighs 5 kg more than Latika.

·      Garima weighs 3 kg less than Latika.

·      Sanchi weighs 6 kg less than Garima.

Example - 1

Who weights the most?

(a) Latika                       (b) Garima    

(c) Beena                       (d) Sanchi

Ans. (c)

Latika's weight = 40 kg

Beena's weight = 40 + 5 = 45 kg

Garima's weight = 40 - 3 = 37 kg

Sanchi's weight = 37 - 6 = 31 kg                                      

Hence, Beena > Latika > Garima > Sanchi

(45kg)   (40kg)  (37kg)  (31kg)                             

So, Beena weights the most.                                          

Direction (Examples 2 & 3): Read the given information carefully and answer the following questions.

A, B, C and D are sitting on a bench.

·      A is sitting next to B.

·      C is sitting next to D.

·      C is on the second position from the right.

Example - 2

In which position A is sitting?

(a) Between B and D                  

(b) Between B and C

(c) Between E and D                  

(d) Between C and E

Ans. (b)

Hence, A is sitting between B and C.

Example - 3

Who is sitting on the right corner?

(a) B                             (b) A     

(c) D                             (d) C

Ans. (c)

Hence, D is sitting on the right corner.

Direction (Examples 4 and 5): Read the given diagram / information carefully and answer the following questions.

·         Six friends are sitting in a circle and are facing the centre of the circle. (As shown in the diagram)

Example - 4

If Prakash and Mukesh interchange their sitting positions, who will be sitting just right to Prakash?

(a) Lalit                         (b) Deepa          

(c) Priti                          (d) Pankaj

Ans. (d)

Sitting Rearrangement

Hence, Pankaj will be sitting just right to Prakash.

Example - 5

If Mukesh and Deepa and Priti and Pankaj interchange their seating positions then, who are the neighbours of Mukesh?

(a) Lalit and Deepa        (b) Priti and Pankaj

(c) Prakash and Priti       (d) Priti and Deepa

Ans. (c)

New Seating Arrangement

Hence, Prakash and Priti are the neighbours of Mukesh.