Strategy 1: Act It Out Using yourself or objects (scraps of paper, counters etc.) that can be moved around to solve problems. Helps to develop visual images and to make the problem solver active. Helps to visualise relationships and makes the process easier to remember.

Strategy 1: Act It Out Example: Andre’s Blue Ribbon Cars and Trucks is having a big sale. Mike and Don are setting up the lot. The boss gives them a diagram of the lot and these directions: “Put the 4-door car in the front of the van. Put the jeep between the truck and the van. Put the sportscar to the left of the 2-door and 4-door cars.” How did Mike and Don set up the lot?

Strategy 2: Act It Out Andre’s Blue Ribbon Cars and Trucks is having a big sale. Mike and Don are setting up the lot. The boss gives them a diagram of the lot and these directions: “Put the 4-door car in the front of the van. Put the jeep between the truck and the van. Put the sportscar to the left of the 2-door and 4-door cars.” How did Mike and Don set up the lot? Step 1: Find Out What is the question you have to answer? How many cars and trucks are they setting up? What are they? What do you know about the location of the 4-door car? What do you know about the location of the jeep? What do you know about the location of the sportscar?

Strategy 2: Act It Out Andre’s Blue Ribbon Cars and Trucks is having a big sale. Mike and Don are setting up the lot. The boss gives them a diagram of the lot and these directions: “Put the 4-door car in the front of the van. Put the jeep between the truck and the van. Put the sportscar to the left of the 2-door and 4- door cars.” How did Mike and Don set up the lot? Step 2: Choose a Strategy Would it help to have pieces of paper, or something to represent each car or truck, and be able to move them around?

Strategy 2: Act It Out Andre’s Blue Ribbon Cars and Trucks is having a big sale. Mike and Don are setting up the lot. The boss gives them a diagram of the lot and these directions: “Put the 4-door car in the front of the van. Put the jeep between the truck and the van. Put the sportscar to the left of the 2-door and 4-door cars.” How did Mike and Don set up the lot? Step 3: Solve It If you use pieces of paper, how would you label them? What goes in front of the van? What can you put on either side of the jeep? Where does the sportscar go? Now can you find a place for the 2-door car? Is there more than one solution for this problem?

Strategy 2: Act It Out Andre’s Blue Ribbon Cars and Trucks is having a big sale. Mike and Don are setting up the lot. The boss gives them a diagram of the lot and these directions: “Put the 4-door car in the front of the van. Put the jeep between the truck and the van. Put the sportscar to the left of the 2-door and 4-door cars.” How did Mike and Don set up the lot? Step 4: Look Back Read the problem again. Look at the data, conditions, and the main question. Review your set-up of the lot. Is your answer reasonable?