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Get Ready to Problem Solve!

PROBLEM-SOLVING

Read the question carefully,

then decide what is being

asked.

When you look at the problem, do not

worry about what you don’t know just yet. Instead, list all the things you do know then decide what information might

help you answer the question.

Learn the language. Accurate translation of words into

numbers and operations is crucial.

BREAK DIFFICULT PROBLEMS INTO PIECES, WORKING ONE STEP AT A TIME.

Get your mind in gear…

Start out simple...

Can you draw a cat using only regular polygons? You must use at least 6 different polygons.

Now that your brain is in motion, let’s try something a little more challenging:

Drawing a diagram is an excellent

problem-solving strategy

Drawing a diagram is an excellent

problem-solving strategy

• Carl is given 24 toothpicks and told to construct a geometric solid.

• He must use all of the toothpicks. • Which solid could he make? • Draw a picture to support your answer. • How many balls of clay would he need

to hold his structure together?

And now, for a real challenge:Brett has been hired to paint a collection of rare geometric solids for a museum display. His directions are as follows:•Use the least number of colors on each solid•No sides that touch should be painted the same color. On your organizer, tell how many colors will be needed for each solid:

• Cube• triangular prism• hexagonal prism• octagonal pyramid• pentagonal pyramid

•Is it true that the greater the number of sides, the more colors needed? •Explain your answer in paragraph form.

Answer Key1. The cat problem: answers will vary.. 2. The toothpick shape will be an octagonal prism.

3. 16 balls of clay will be required to hold the toothpick figure together.

No, figures with an even number of sides will only need two colors for sides and a third color for the base.

Shape Number of Sides

Number of colors required

Cube 3

Triangular Prism 4

Hexagonal Prism 3

Octangular Prism 3

Pentagonal Prism 4