Polya’s 4-Step Problem Solving

Step 1: Understand the Problem Step 2: Devise a Plan

Read Find connection between the data and

Reread the unknown.
Draw a picture
Ask yourself… Ask yourself…
• Do you understand all the words • Have you seen it before?
used in stating the problem? • Do you know a related problem?
• What are you asked to find or • Can you restate the problem in a
show? different way?
• What do you know? • Can you solve a more general
• What do you need to know? problem?
• Can you restate the problem in • Did you use all the data?
your own words?
• What is the unknown? Choose a Strategy…
• What are the data? • Guess and check
• Can you think of a picture or • Look for a pattern
diagram that might help you • Make an orderly list
understand the problem? • Draw a picture
• Is there enough information to • Eliminate possibilities
enable you to find a solution? • Solve a simpler problem
• Use symmetry
• Use a model
• Consider special cases
• Work backwards
• Use direct reasoning
• Use a formula
• Solve an equation
• Be ingenious
• Create an equation
• Create a Diagram or Table

Step 3: Carry Out the Plan Step 4: Look Back

Use care and patience. Examine the solution you obtained.

Persist with a plan. Check your work.
Check each step. Does your answer make sense?
Try different plans. Can you do another method?
Keep trying. What worked?
What didn’t work?
How can I use this strategy in the future?