1. E.P.S.E Problem Solving Model
Explore
Plan
Solve
Examine

2. E.P.S.E Problem Solving Model
Explore – Fact Finding.
Read the whole problem carefully. Reread if necessary.
What do you need to find out? (Write the question.)
What facts do you know? (List them.)
Plan – How will I solve this problem?
Explain what strategy or strategies you will use to solve the problem without using numbers or number words.
Estimate when appropriate using your strategy. (You may use numbers here.)
Solve – Find the answer.
Use your plan to find the answer.
Show all your work.
Rewrite the question(s) using the answer. (As a sentence.)
Circle the answer sentence.
Examine – Show the problem is reasonable.
Did you answer the right question(s)?
Does my answer make sense?
· Compare the estimate to your
answer.
· Reverse the operation(s) / Solve
Backwards…
· Use common sense!
EXAMPLE!!

3. Explore – Fact Finding Read the whole problem
carefully. Reread if necessary.
What do you need to find out? (Write the question.)
3. What facts do you know?
(List them.)

4. Plan – How will I solve this problem?
1. Explain what strategy or strategies you will use to solve the problem without using numbers or number words.
2. Estimate when appropriate using your strategy. (You may use numbers here.)

5. Solve – Find the answer Use your plan to find the answer.
Show all your work.
3. Rewrite the question (as a sentence.) using the answer.
4. Circle the answer in the sentence.

6. Examine – show the problem is reasonable
1. Did you answer the right question(s)?
2. Does my answer make sense?
Compare the estimate to your answer
reverse the operation(s)/solve backwards
use common sense!

7. Use the EPSE model to solve the following word problem:
The Farells want to buy a VCR that costs $460. They plan to make a down payment of $100 and pay the rest in eight equal payments. What will be the amount of each payment?

8. Explore Plan Solve Examine yes Strategy:
VCR cost $460; make down payment of $100; pay rest in 8 equal payments
Facts:
Subtract down payment from the cost; then divide into equal payments
Estimate: (when appropriate)
Need to find:
What will be the amount of each payment?
($500 – $100) ÷ 8 = $50
Did I answer the right question?
Show work:
yes
460 – 100 =
360
Compare actual answer & estimate
360 ÷ 8 = 45
Actual: $45 Estimate: $50
Word sentence:
Does my answer make sense?
The amount of each payment will be $45.
Yes, because $45 x 8 = $360 and $360 + $100 = $460 and that’s how much the VCR cost.