The following problem set is being given to our department before we talk about how we want to teach problem-solving.
For the following problems, please use our 5-step annotation:
(i) note the context,
(ii) underline the question,
(iii) circle useful information,
(iv) write a sentence frame for the answer,
(v) “build a bridge” from the useful information to the answer (ie, solve).
Problem 1: A 20.5 gallon fish tank is 4/5 full. How many more gallons will it take to fill the tank? [Kelemanik]
Problem 2: Imagine a triangle inside a rectangular box. How much of the box does the triangle take up? [Lockhart]
Problem 3: Are the following lists the same list, or not?
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Problem 4: Describe in detail what went on in your mind to “build the bridge” in problems 1 and 2. (Extra credit: same for Problem 3.) (Extra extra credit: same for Problem 4.)
Problem 5: Describe the relationship between the bridge-building you did in previous problems, and the list(s) from Problem 3.
Problem 6: To what extent do you relate to the following?
Mathematicians frequently report that often one of the most helpful things they can do to solve a problem they’re stuck on is step away from it. Jacques Hadamard (1949) examined his own experiences and also talked to many of his colleagues to work out what the common structure of this experience was, and determined that there seems to be a fairly predictable sequence to it:
- Intensely focus on the problem, working through every permutation you can think of that’s likely to produce an answer.
- Walk away from the problem and think about something else.
- The magic genie in your head might eventually, and often unexpectedly, yell a possible insight into your awareness.
For instance, Henri Poincaré reported struggling to work on Fuchsian functions over the course of several weeks and then being forced to walk away from the proof he had been stuck on due to a planned vacation. One day he was stepping onto a bus with his mind certainly not on mathematics, and suddenly the key insight he needed to finish the proof appeared in his mind. It was as though a part of his mind had been secretly working on the problem and then brought the finished product into his awareness. [Valentine]
Problem 7. Watch Grace Kelemanik’s Ignite talk, which starts around 20:25. (The other talks are also terrific.)
Problem 8. What experiences will help children become more confident in, competent at, and excited about solving problems?
Problem 9. How can we give those experiences to kids in the confines of a school schedule and in the context of required content and skills?
If you haven’t already, check out the deep and helpful related analysis Michael is giving us at Problem Problems.
I like problem 2. The wording of the problem doesn’t point to which triangle the reader should focus on, but almost leaves it open to interpretation. Not just (1/2)*base*height… Touché.
Read _A Mathematician’s Lament_, if you haven’t.
[…] great talks, and hers just didn’t click for me at that time. It wasn’t until I read this great blog post by Dan Goldner, about a month later, that Grace’s ideas started a cascade of insights into […]
Can we have some followup?? How did this go over with the department? What did people think about and talk about afterward?