Learning and Teaching

“Success in maths does not depend on how many answers you know, but by what you do when you don’t know the answer.” —Unknown

Problem-solving skills are particularly crucial for students in mathematics. Maths problems often require critical thinking, logical reasoning, creativity, and persistence to solve. By grappling with mathematical problems, students not only enhance their understanding of mathematical concepts but also develop valuable problem-solving strategies that can be applied across different disciplines and real-life situations.

Practicing problem-solving in mathematics helps students cultivate a growth mindset, where they view challenges as opportunities for learning and growth rather than insurmountable obstacles. This mindset fosters resilience and adaptability, which are essential qualities for success in both academic and professional settings.

Furthermore, the ability to analyze data, make informed decisions, and solve problems efficiently is becoming more important than ever. Thus, nurturing problem-solving skills in mathematics not only prepares students for academic success but also equips them with essential tools for navigating the challenges of the 21st century.

To solve Mathematical Problems though, students need to be able to read and understand the problem. They need to be able to think through what they know about Maths and pick out the appropriate strategies to solve a problem. They have to apply these strategies (processing) and finally check that they have answered the question properly.

Many students need to be explicitly taught how to solve problems. The following prompts can be helpful when working through problems with your child at home:

1. Read the problem. Are there any words you don’t understand?
2. What is the question asking you to do?
3. How will you solve the problem? Which strategy might you use?
   1. Make a table
   2. Draw a picture or diagram
   3. Make a model
   4. Write a number sentence
   5. Write a list
   6. Act it out
   7. Identify a pattern
   8. Guess and check
   9. Solve a simpler, related problem
   10. Work backwards
4. Have a go at solving the problem. What is the answer?
5. How did you solve the problem? Can you prove your answer is correct using a different strategy?

By using these prompts, you should be able to identify if and where your child is going wrong in their problem solving. The regular use of the prompts will also give your child a good framework for solving problems and will give them great opportunities to both understand and use mathematical language more effectively.  

Laura Leung

Learning and Teaching

Adapted from Dr Anne Newman's Error Analysis and Rob Vingerhoets problem solving strategies.