CK12 - Geometry

is.

ProblemSolvingin Geometry

LearningObjectives

• Readand understandgivenproblemsituations.


• Use multiplerepresentationsto restateproblemsituations.


• Identifyproblem-solvingplans.


• Solvereal-worldproblemsusingplanningstrategies.

Introduction

One of the mostimportantthingswe hopeyou will learnin schoolis how to solveproblems.In real life,
problemsolvingis not usuallyas clearas it is in school.Often,performinga calculationor measurement
can be a simpletask. Knowingwhat to measureor solvefor can be the greatestchallengein solvingproblems.
This lessonhelpsyou developthe skillsneededto becomea goodproblemsolver.

UnderstandingProblemSituations

The first step wheneveryou approacha complicatedproblemis to simplifythe problem.That meansidenti-
fying the necessaryinformation,and findingthe desiredvalue.Beginby askingyourselfthe simplequestion:
Whatis this problemaskingfor?

If the problemhad to ask you only one question,whatwouldit be? This helpsyou identifyhow you should
respondin the end.

Next,you haveto find the informationyou needto solvethe problem.Ask yourselfanotherquestion:What
do I needto knowto find the answer?

This questionwill help you sift throughinformationthat may be helpfulwith this problem.

Use thesebasicquestionsto simplifythe followingproblem.Don’ttry to solveit yet, just beginthis process
with questioning.

Example 1

Ehabdrewa rectangle on the chalkboard. was and was .If Ehabdraws

in the diagonal ,whatwill be its length?

Beginto understandthis problemby askingyourselftwo questions:

1. Whatis the problemaskingfor?

The questionasks for the lengthof diagonal.

2. Whatdo I needto knowto find the answer?

You needto knowthreethings:

• The anglesof a rectangleare all equalto.