TRAC - Problem Solving

1 PROBLEM SOLVING 2 Think: Read the problem to get an idea of what you're being asked to 3 Read the Problem Again. Think about what you are being asked to do Record: Now that you know what you're being asked to do, read the problem 5 This time around make note of what you are given and what you need to find. 6 Also make sure that you understand just what you're being asked to do. 7 Clearly Note What You Are Asked to Find. Clearly write down somewhere what you're being asked to find. 8 Clearly Note What You Know. Clearly write down somewhere all the information you've been given. 9 Draw a Diagram. If appropriate draw a diagram and label what you know and what you need to find. 10 Often diagrams will suggest the solution technique, so it's a good idea to get into the habit of drawing 11 them. 12 Act: Devise a Plan. Try to figure out what you're going to need to work the problem. Identify formulas 13 that may help you. See if there are any intermediate steps/answers that will be needed in order to arrive 14 at the final answer. 15 Work a Similar Problem. If you can't figure out how to work the problem find a similar problem that is 16 simpler. Work this then go back and compare what you did in the simpler problem to the problem you're 17 asked to do. 18 Work the Plan. Once you've got the plan, work it out to get the answer. 19 Check: Check Your Solution. Is the answer in proper form? Does your answer make sense? If possible, 20 plug your answer back into the original problem as a check. 21 Go Back Over the Problem. Once you're satisfied that you've got the correct answer go back over the 22 problem. Identify concepts/methods/formulas that were used for the problem. Try to understand why 23 these concepts/methods/formulas were used on this problem. Look for identifying characteristics that 24 will help you identify this kind of problem in the future.

Prompts for Vocabulary In line 1, highlight the word that means to unravel, untangle or resolve. In line 9, highlight the word that describes a drawing or plan that outlines and explains the parts, operation, etc. of something. In line 12, highlight the word meaning to contrive, plan, or elaborate; invent. In line 12, highlight the word that means any fixed or conventional method for doing something. In line 13, highlight that means acting between two points, stages, things or persons. In line 19, highlight the word describing the act of solving a problem, question. In line 22, highlight the word that means to recognize. In line 23, highlight the word meaning recognizing. In line 23, highlight the word that describes distinguishing features or qualities.

1 PROBLEM SOLVING 2 Think: Read the problem to get an idea of what you're being asked to 3 Read the Problem Again. Think about what you are being asked to do Record: Now that you know what you're being asked to do, read the problem 5 This time around make note of what you are given and what you need to find. 6 Also make sure that you understand just what you're being asked to do. 7 Clearly Note What You Are Asked to Find. Clearly write down somewhere what you're being asked to find. 8 Clearly Note What You Know. Clearly write down somewhere all the information you've been given. 9 Draw a Diagram. If appropriate draw a diagram and label what you know and what you need to find. 10 Often diagrams will suggest the solution technique, so it's a good idea to get into the habit of drawing 11 them. 12 Act: Devise a Plan. Try to figure out what you're going to need to work the problem. Identify formulas 13 that may help you. See if there are any intermediate steps/answers that will be needed in order to arrive 14 at the final answer. 15 Work a Similar Problem. If you can't figure out how to work the problem find a similar problem that is 16 simpler. Work this then go back and compare what you did in the simpler problem to the problem you're 17 asked to do. 18 Work the Plan. Once you've got the plan, work it out to get the answer. 19 Check: Check Your Solution. Is the answer in proper form? Does your answer make sense? If possible, 20 plug your answer back into the original problem as a check. 21 Go Back Over the Problem. Once you're satisfied that you've got the correct answer go back over the 22 problem. Identify concepts/methods/formulas that were used for the problem. Try to understand why 23 these concepts/methods/formulas were used on this problem. Look for identifying characteristics that 24 will help you identify this kind of problem in the future.

Prompts for Summary – Main ideas/salient points of the text In line 2, highlight the word that describes the first thing you have to do with regard to solving a problem. In line 3, highlight what you have to do after you’ve done what is asked in line 1. In line 4, highlight the next step you take in problem solving. In line 5, highlight what you make note of. In line 9, highlight what you are to do – if appropriate. In line 10, highlight what diagrams will often suggest. In line 12, highlight the next step in problem solving. In line 12, highlight how you do this step. In lines 15 and 16, highlight what you do if you can’t figure out how to work the problem. In line 18, highlight what you do once you have the plan for working the problem. In line 19, highlight the next step in solving a problem. In line 19, highlight the two questions you need to answer before you move on. In line 21, highlight what you do once you’ve worked the problem. In line 23, highlight what you need to identify regarding the problem. In lines 24 and 25, highlight what you need to look for that will help you in the future.

1 PROBLEM SOLVING 2 Think: Read the problem to get an idea of what you're being asked to 3 Read the Problem Again. Think about what you are being asked to do Record: Now that you know what you're being asked to do, read the problem 5 This time around make note of what you are given and what you need to find. 6 Also make sure that you understand just what you're being asked to do. 7 Clearly Note What You Are Asked to Find. Clearly write down somewhere what you're being asked to find. 8 Clearly Note What You Know. Clearly write down somewhere all the information you've been given. 9 Draw a Diagram. If appropriate draw a diagram and label what you know and what you need to find. 10 Often diagrams will suggest the solution technique, so it's a good idea to get into the habit of drawing 11 them. 12 Act: Devise a Plan. Try to figure out what you're going to need to work the problem. Identify formulas 13 that may help you. See if there are any intermediate steps/answers that will be needed in order to arrive 14 at the final answer. 15 Work a Similar Problem. If you can't figure out how to work the problem find a similar problem that is 16 simpler. Work this then go back and compare what you did in the simpler problem to the problem you're 17 asked to do. 18 Work the Plan. Once you've got the plan, work it out to get the answer. 19 Check: Check Your Solution. Is the answer in proper form? Does your answer make sense? If possible, 20 plug your answer back into the original problem as a check. 21 Go Back Over the Problem. Once you're satisfied that you've got the correct answer go back over the 22 problem. Identify concepts/methods/formulas that were used for the problem. Try to understand why 23 these concepts/methods/formulas were used on this problem. Look for identifying characteristics that 24 will help you identify this kind of problem in the future.

Summarize what you’ve just learned from the text. 1.Read the text again, making note of what you have highlighted. 2.Once you have re-read the text, then write a 4-5 sentence summary of what the text is telling you to do. You may refer back to the text. Be sure to identify any order to the directions. 3. Use a piece of your paper to write a summary. 4.Read your summary to yourself to be sure you have not left out any important points of the text.

Quiz – TRAC / Problem Solving 1.The four main parts of problem solving are which of the following choices. A. Record, Observe, Check, Rework B. Observe, Think, Look, Check C. Think, Record, Act, Check D. Read, Think, Act, Check 2.When you record, you make note of what you are given and what you need to find. A. True B. False 3.Which of the following statements is NOT accurate. A. Intermediate steps/answers are not important. B. Work a similar problem that is simpler if you’re having trouble. C. Once you have a plan, use that plan to work the problem to find an answer. 4. It is not important to go back over the problem when you have a solution? A. True B. False 5.Is the following sentence true or false? “It is important to identify the concepts/methods and formulas that were used for the problem and on the problem.” A. True B. False