Problem Solving:
Using R-E-A-CH

R - RECOGNIZE
What is the problem about?
What is the question you need to answer?
What do you need to know to answer the question?

E - ESTIMATE
Use your mental math skills to figure out an
estimate of the answer.

A – APPLY YOUR KNOWLEDGE: CHOOSE A STRATEGY
and SOLVE THE PROBLEM
There may be more than one strategy that will
work, or a combination of strategies.
See below for some suggested strategies.
Work through the problem and keep an
organized record of all your work

CH – CHECK YOUR WORK
Reread the problem and check to see of the
solution makes sense AND also answers the
question.
Some Common Problem Solving Strategies:
I.
Act Out or Use Objects - use labels or objects to “act out” the
scenario
II.
Make a Picture or Diagram – this helps you get a sense of the “big
picture”
III.
Use or Make a Chart or Table - make sure this is organized and
includes labels
IV.
Make an Organized List - make sure this includes labels as well
V.
Guess and Check – keep a written record so you can see when you
are getting close
VI.
Use or Look for a Pattern – use a table to look for relationships
(factors, multiples…)
VII.
Work Backwards – start from the ending statement and work back
VIII.
Use Logical Reasoning - use if… then… statements
IX.
Make it Simpler - can you use smaller numbers than correct at the
end?
X.
Brainstorm - think “outside the box!”