Problem Solving & Reasoning Skills - Videos & Lessons

About This Chapter

This chapter helps you go over the problem solving and reasoning skills you'll need to be familiar with for the FTCE Middle Grades Math exam. Our lessons help you review how different math problems can be solved.

FTCE Middle Grades Math: Problem Solving & Reasoning Skills - Chapter Summary

Make sure you're ready for the FTCE Middle Grades Math exam by going over the problem solving and reasoning skills content you'll find on the test. This chapter includes lessons that help you study:

Different principles for solving math problems
Various problem-solving strategies
Connective reasoning
Logical equivalence
Conditional statements in mathematics
Propositions and truth values

The quizzes at the end of the chapter will give you the chance to check your understanding of what you've reviewed. You can look over the lessons again if there are certain topics you'd like to review further.

7 Lessons in Chapter 2: Problem Solving & Reasoning Skills

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1. Reasoning in Mathematics: Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

Many people think that deductive and inductive reasoning are the same thing. It is assumed these words are synonymous. They are not. This lesson reveals the reality of these two types of reasoning.

2. Mathematical Principles for Problem Solving

Solving problems is not just a simple, straightforward process. There are a few principles that can help you as you approach any problem solving scenarios. This lesson covers those principles with examples.

3. The Three-Way Principle of Mathematics

What methods are there to solve and understand mathematical problems? This lesson will review three methods to understand mathematical problems (verbal, graphical, and by example). Each will be illustrated with examples.

4. Polya's Four-Step Problem-Solving Process

Problem solving can be a problem. Any problem is solved easier with an action plan. Polya's 4-Step Problem-Solving Process is discussed in this lesson to help students develop an action plan for addressing problems.

5. Solving Mathematical Problems Using Estimation

Estimating is a method of calculating a result that is close to, but not exactly, the correct answer to a math problem. Why would you ever need to do this? This lesson reviews estimating and answers the question as to why you would do it.

6. Types of Problems & Problem Solving Strategies

We solve hundreds of small problems everyday. This lesson covers different types of problems, such as routine vs. non-routine, and many of the different problem-solving strategies we use, including algorithms, heuristics, graphic representations and the IDEAL Strategy.

7. How to Solve Visualizing Geometry Problems

A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes drawing that picture can be like doing origami with your eyes closed. Practice translating complex problems into simple, meaningful images in this lesson.

Chapter Practice Exam

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Practice Final Exam

Test your knowledge of the entire course with a 50 question practice final exam.

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