Polya’s Problem Solving 4 Steps -- Many Strategies

Polya’s 4 Steps Understand the problem Devise a plan What does this mean? How do you understand? Devise a plan What goes into this step? Why is it important? Carry out the plan What happens here? What belongs in this step? Look back What does this step imply? How do you show you did this?

List of Strategies Make a chart Make a table Draw a picture Draw a diagram Guess, test, and revise Form an algebraic model Look for a pattern Try a simpler version of the problem Work backward Restate the problem differently Eliminate impossible situations Use reasoning