Hi there! Today, we are going to learn how to tackle any test with confidence by using a step-by-step plan.
Taking a test is not just about memorizing facts. It is about using a smart problem-solving model to analyze what each question is actually asking you.
First, we analyze the given information. We highlight key words, find the main goal, and rule out answers that do not make sense.
Next, we justify our solution and evaluate our process. We check if our final answer is reasonable and matches the clues in the question.
✏️ Worked example
A math test question asks: 'Sam has $50. He buys 3 books for $12 each. How much money does he have left?' Use a full five-step problem-solving model to solve this and justify your answer.
Analyze: Identify the given information. Sam starts with $50. He spends money on 3 books. Each book costs $12.
Plan: Formulate a strategy. First, multiply the number of books by the cost of each book to find the total spent. Then, subtract that total from $50.
Solve: Calculate the values. 3 books times $12 is $36. Then, subtract $36 from $50 to get $14.
Justify: Check the math. If he has $14 left, adding back the $36 spent should equal his original $50. Since 14 + 36 = 50, the math is correct.
Evaluate: Ask if the solution is reasonable. Since he spent over half his money (36 is more than 25), he should have less than half left. $14 is less than half of $50, so this makes complete sense.
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