Questions tagged [problem-solving]
For questions related to creating, categorizing and identifying appropriate problems as well as the benefits of problem solving and related pedagogy including motivation.
62 questions
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Book on Mathematical Problem-Solving Techniques
I'm looking for books that present, discuss, and provide accessible examples of mathematical problem-solving techniques, such as:
Dividing complex problems into smaller parts (Decomposition),
...
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On how to produce videos like this one [duplicate]
I wonder how can one produce (basic perhaps) videos like this one
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_0x6mUQ204
Is that some kind of tablet or device that offers users the ability to do so, or is it ...
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Question on implementation of PBL (problem or project-based learning) in Linear Algebra course
I am trying to implement some version of a Project or Problem-Based Learning methodology (which I will just refer to as "PBL"[1]) in Linear Algebra and I am not sure how classes are ...
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Having students assess what problems they're ready for
Does anyone have experience with giving students a collection of problems where they have to assess which ones they have the knowledge to solve?
I was exploring the connection between video games and ...
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Problem of the Week for College Students
Trinity's Problem of the Week and Purdue's Problem of the Week were both weekly problems that were excellent for college math clubs to tangle with at their weekly meetings. However, both of them are ...
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What will happen if someone doesn’t make it to the IMO team?
I am highly interested in mathematics, and solving Olympiad maths problems has been a type of hobby for me. But due to my age, I will never be able to give the olympiads a go again. I want to know ...
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Why do problems should be solved by pen and paper before coding? [closed]
I heard that before you can handle data automatically, you have to know how to handle it manually.
Why is it impossible to find a problem and build some machine learning algorithm to find a proper ...
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Theory-practice order vs practice-theory
I heard that there were some studies on what is the best order for teaching math. But I cannot find any papers (probably my English is too poor to google this paper correctly).
As I heard idea was: ...
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On doing scientific research [closed]
What I want to ask is: can I use the results of others when doing scientific research, whether it is math, physics or other science, without trying to prove them myself or try to verify them? For ...
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Learning, exams, math degree
I have only passed the one fourth of my courses so far, which means like one year of the maths undergraduate studies. I live in a different place from where the university i study at is and try to ...
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Quality of a solution in mathematics
How can you determine a quality of a solution for a mathematics problem in general ?
If you try to explain too much then solution becomes bit longer and it takes time to go through causing less ...
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What are some ways that one can progress from stage 2 to stage 3 of the rigor stages that Terry Tao has described?
Terry Tao describes 3 stages of one's mathematics education on his web blog.
1: Pre-rigorous
2: Rigorous
3. Post-rigorous
I know how one can progress from stage 1 to stage 2 (this simply can be done ...
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Problem solving or question answering
What can be the most appropriate way of asking , Solve the problem or answer the question ?
As common usage in examinations we have question papers for all subjects. Therefore like in other subjects ...
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Problem solving and independent scientific research [closed]
Is analogy a way to solve problems when doing research in math and physics? Is it very important?How important is it? Could i do independent scientific research on some open problems perhaps having ...
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Is applying maths a 'hard problem' and how does the profession help?
Question: Is there such a thing as an Applied Maths profession?
In my engineering experience we were often at a loss as to which mathematical approach to take, and there seemed no obvious way to find ...
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Problem solving approach to learning and psychology
I try to have a problem solving approach to learning math. What i mean by this is if someone sets some questions or problems regarding the material i am reading how should i answer or what questions ...
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Math outside of undergraduate studies and proofs
I read sometimes mathematical works of others outside my undergraduate studies. I think i can not follow the understanding of the proofs of theorems sometimes. What should i do? Should i read other ...
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Doctorate and examples of difficult solved problems
Okay. My questions are: How do some people do doctorates in mathematics and spend so much time like three to six years trying to answer one or two open problems? How do they have the patience, ...
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Solved , open problems and levels of difficulty
What are the advantages and wins of solving already solved problems? Does it help me know how to become better at problem solving and test my abilities on it? Does it help me become better and have ...
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Should I do all the proof practice problems in How to Prove It, an intro to proofs book?
Like the title says. I am self studying intro to proofs(How to prove it by velleman) so I can start an introduction to analysis. I am wondering if I should complete all the exercises in the textbook(...
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Parkour and Mathematical Practice?
Learning mathematics and learning parkour seem to have a lot in common. Both can be done on varying levels, but to progress in either one needs to overlearn and build basic skills so that these skills ...
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How important is it to come up with or learn an elementary solution?
Note: by "elementary" I mean "without using more advanced theory and tools".
Students are sometimes required or encouraged to solve very difficult problems using limited number of ...
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Practical case for solving with system of 2 equations
When I teach basic math I want to emphasize on it's power (algebraic part for starters) as a tool for solving certain problems you cannot solve with naked brain, so that one models a problem with ...
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What is a good place for teachers to share self-created content?
I am a high school mathematics teacher and I regularly create problems and their solutions for my students. It has always lingered in my mind that this content can also benefit others.
What would be a ...
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Help finding good deep mathematics problems
Once, when I Was doing calculus 2, someone challenged me to calculate and prove the Gaussian integral, with a few hints, and a few days, I managed to.
It was a great feeling to solve a “deep” multi ...
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Looking for a HIERARCHY of math subjects
If you were to "map" mathematics onto a tree structure where the top is "Mathematics", and then below it the different branches, then sub-branches, etc.
What do you suggest is a good structure, for ...
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Do you teach different proofs or calculations of same question?
Recently I asked a question on math.stackechange about the most ways to differentiate the same function and it didn't seem to generate any interest - rather, the reason why I'd ask such a question was ...
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How actually are prime numbers taught in elementary school in United States and how easily do students learn what they're being taught about them?
I read the question https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/1593091/how-to-explain-why-study-prime-numbers-to-5th-graders and according to the body of the question, some students sigh. Also according ...
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Combinatorial problems which can be solved with polynomials
Can someone please post some (relatively easy, high school level) combinatorial problems which can be solved with polynomials (but not generating functions).
Here is an example of one such problem:
We ...
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Are there any more mathematical journals or websites with the "problems and solutions"?
Are there any more mathematical journals or websites with the "problems and solutions"? such as , the American Mathematical Monthly and Crux Mathematicorum
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Developing abductive (problem-solving) skills
I am looking for long-term (over the course of many semesters) strategies, including specific types of in-class activities, for developing the abilities of students to come up with intermediate steps ...
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Are some people unteachable at mathematical problem solving? [closed]
This is a concise description of what happens if I attempt any problem solving task with numbers:
[1] I never work out where to start.
[2] If by some miracle [and I'm talking Moses parting the waves ...
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How to improve mathematical skills(University level)?
I am doing Ph.D in Mathematics, I feel I lack few of the skills, if I can improve those skills I think I can do better as a Math scholar. I need some suggestion on these following(below I am talking ...
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Student-friendly / efficient approach to computing Taylor coefficients of infinite binomial series expansions?
I’m working on a section of a course covering Taylor expansions, and have found that, although there is great notation for simplifying the formula for the coefficients of a general infinite binomial ...
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A question from a young student to mathematicians
I'm a young math student. And I live with the effort of always wanting to understand everything I study, in mathematics. This means that for every thing I face I must always understand every single ...
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More intermediate steps or check well-understanding
I work as a math tutor mostly for talented high-school students that are passionate about mathematics and want to learn more of it beyond school programs. They are very smart kids, but I noticed that ...
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Students understand during course but can't solve exam
I am teaching a math class where the students, most of them, tell me that they can understand the materials given by me during the course. I test them during the course too and they seem to get it. ...
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Can we solve math just by speaking and not using any other extra devices?
I have been thinking, is it possible, or a good thing to do when learning from a textbook without ever writing anything down. But have to verbally give out the solution from beginning to the end with ...
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Why is problem solving important for all of us? [closed]
I am looking for academic references related to this questions. In fact, I need to write a paper which shows the importance of problem-solving approach for everyone. Certainly, this should include ...
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Why do the stages of rigorousness have specific timestamps?
This is a reduced quote from There’s more to mathematics than rigour and proofs of Terrence Tao (emphasis mine):
The “pre-rigorous” stage, in which mathematics is taught in an informal, ...
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Problem based learning (PBL) for pupils with educational difficulties
I taught IT in an engineering school during three years in problem based learning (PBL) only. Now I teach maths to pupils between 10 and 15 years old who have a lot of educational difficulties.
I'm ...
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Stating identity is not the same as knowing value
A discussion with a frustrated 10th grade student sent me here.
I had provided two linear function expressions,
$f(x)=2x+2$ and $g(x)=-\frac{1}{2}x-2$,
now find the intersection of the two lines!
...
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"Seeing" GCD and LCM in Word Problems
Last year, I taught GCD and LCM and then gave my students word problem relating to these concepts ("Two runners with given different speeds; when will they meet again?", "Having three kinds of flowers ...
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What are the fundamentals of writing practice questions for early teen students?
I have to write some practice questions, or toy problems for some students in the age range 11 to 14. This is for a workshop I will be running. The students are encouraged to work on these questions ...
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Drumming up interest in journal-problem-solving and competition prep
I teach at a small liberal-arts college and advise our Math Club. In past years, I have talked a few students into taking the Putnam Exam. I've found that I pretty much have to "coerce" them into ...
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Can mathematics be learned by ONLY solving problems?
Here is the concept:
Student is presented with a problem. He/she may not even understand what is being asked, or may attempt.
Students reads a solution to the problem. In it there may be ...
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How do I solve this ratio problem? [closed]
Here is the problem:
If Bill takes 3 hours to paint a room and James takes 5 hours to paint a room, how long
will it take to paint a room if they work together? Show your working.
Thank You.
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How is this problem categorised?
I'm trying to find some online questions and training material related to this sort of question. It's not something that I can identify the name of:
A raffle has these prizes (ending 00 @ £12, ...
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How to retain the key points of an exercise?
I'm a student majoring in maths. The sole reason I chose mathematics is that I like mathematics. I'm sure I do not belong to that "gifted" category. I haven't participated in maths competitions either....
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Question about the process of creation of problems and exercises in Mathematics
I have a question about formulating problems and exercises in Mathematics. When attempting to create a problem of Number Theory or Real Analysis, for example, in this process, is the problem first ...
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