Problem Solving

Three Problems with Math:
(1) answering the wrong question (2) Mistakes in computation (3) Learning the wrong  methods

Students have one to two minutes to solve problems. Most math courses have about 15 types of problems.

Here's my advice:
(1) Read "Problem Solving Strategies" by Herr and Johnson.
(2) Thoroughly learn each type of problem and all its variations. Have at least two ways to solve each problem. learn how to estimate the answer.

During the test:
(1) Read each problem at least three times. More if you are an ESL student.
(2) Classify the problem by the types you have learned.
(3) Make a guess.
(4) Make an estimate.
(5) Solve the problem
(6) Does the answer agree with your guess and estimate? If not fix.

Memorizing procedures sometimes called "steps" is a loosing battle. The older we get the harder it is to memorize unrelated facts. Younger students might be able to do it, but High School and Adult learners could have problems with memorizing.

Word Problems - Easier Way

What most math and physics teachers will recommend:

1. Read the problem, collect facts
2. Analyze, make a plan
3. Solve
4. Check results

The problems is that you do not have enough time on most tests. Typically you have 2 minutes per problem.

I was an engineer for 20 years. You just can not make a mistake in that profession. How did I solve problems then? How do you solve problems when you cannot make mistakes and you do not have a lot of time?

1. Learn all the types of problems. In a job or a math or science course there are usually about a dozen different types of problems. Learn each problem type. Write neatly one or more solutions. Keep them in a notebook. Review them often.
2. Read the problem at least three times to ten times. Be sure you understand the question, which is usually the last sentence. Identify what type of problem you just read.
3. Make an estimate
4. Find an answer, given what you remember from step 1.
5. Does the answer agree with the estimate? If not, go back to step 2.