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PROBLEM SOLVING STEPS
1. Read the problem and see what it is asking.
Since you will be dealing with many types of problems, it is important to recognize what topic the problem is dealing with.
Write down in a few words what overarching idea this topic entails.
Now you have two possibilities: the problem is qualitative or quantitative.
For Qualitative Problems:
Write down the concepts connected to the overarching idea.
Decide how you can use those ideas and concepts to answer the problem.
Qualitative Problems End here.
For Quantitative Problems:
Write down in a few words your plan or solving the problem.
Proceed through the rest of the steps.
2. Write down all of the given information and the variable that needs to be solved.
This entails all of the numbers within the problem. You need to determine what each number is by the units given in the problem. For example, if a problem says 10 m/s, you know that it is speed because of the m/s.
3. Make sure all of the given information is in the same units.
This applies to all like quantities within the problem. For example, all length measurements must be in the same units like meters, miles or whatever the problem may specify.
4. Identify the equation(s) needed to solve the problem.
Once you know what the problem is dealing with, you can isolate the set of equations that pertain to that particular topic, because you will know which equations apply to each situation.
After you narrowed the equations, you need to isolate the exact equation needed by seeing what variables are given, and what variable needs to be solved for.
5. Determine if the question is answered and if the answer makes sense.
For example, if you want the speed of the turtle and you get 100 mph for the answer, chances are you made a mistake.
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