Patterns and methods

This is the third session on solving a SBI PO type high level reasoning puzzle in a few easy and confident steps without confusion. Minimal form of logic table along with strategic selection of logic conditions for execution enable quick solution without confusion for this 3 object set assignment problem with a twist...

After crossing the first barrier in the process of proving a Trigonometric identity, if you go straight ahead without looking at the goal state on the RHS, you might reach a situation where you would have to start again from the goal state expression and backtrack to the simple result you had reached on the first go, not only an awkward solution but also technically an invalid one....

In procedural approach to solve Trigonometry or Algebra problems, usually the student has to go through many steps writing the steps using pen and paper without using the useful patterns lying partly hidden in the problem waiting to be used with intelligence so that the solution is reached in a few steps lightning fast, that too without using pen and paper. We are not discussing tricks. We are discussing the anatomy of a rich concept that are based on basic concepts and how a specific rich concept can be used for what we call, efficient problem solving.

The conventional approach to math problem solving relies heavily on manipulation of terms using low level mathematical constructs without using the problem solving abilities of the student. Following only this approach to solving problems, students may tend to become used to mechanical and procedural thinking suppressing their inherent creative and innovative out-of-the-box thinking abilities...