Problem Solving Guide

Name

Date

1. Is there a problem to solve? (Yes - No - Possibly)

2. What is it? Exact statement of the problem:

3. What information is needed to solve the problem?

4. Where can it be found?

5. Can I solve this problem?

(Easily - With a lot of work - No - Maybe)

(By myself - With help)

From whom

5. How long will it take me?

6. What patterns can I see in this problem?

7. What strategies might work?

8. What order should I try the strategies?

9. What would I estimate as an answer?

10. Answer these questions when you get to the half way point on your list of steps:

Are things going as planned? (Yes - No - Maybe)

Should I (Continue - Reevaluate)

11. Answer this question when the problem is solved: How did it turn out? (hints in chart)

Very successful	Pretty successful	Unsuccessful
Is really finished	Could use more work	Don't know what to do next
Was harder than expected	Was easier then expected	Was as hard as expected
Took longer	Took less time	Took what I thought

12. Can I use the solution and/or the problem solving strategies in the future? (yes no)

If so what future uses?