TIPS - Problem Solving Strategy for Math

TIPS is a problem solving strategy the students have been using in math. How do we use it?

First, identify what the problem is asking you to find out. (How much, how many, totals, products, remainders, etc.)

T = Thought: What math operation or combinations operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) will you need to do to solve the problem.

I = Information: List only the numbers in the problem that can help you solve it.

P = Plan: Combine your Thought and Information and create a number sentence (equation) to solve the problem.

S = Solution: Find the solution to the number sentence you created in your plan.

Example: Justin had 875 marbles and 326 baseball card. He gave 272 marbles to his friends. How many marbles did Justin keep for himself? What is the problem asking us to find out? How many marbles did Justin keep for himself.

T (-) We will need to subtract to find our answer.

I - 875, 272 (We don't include 326 because it has nothing to do with the number of marbles Justin has.)

P - 875 - 272 (We've combined our thought and our information into a number sentence.)

S - 875 - 272 = 603 marbles (Our solution: Justin has 603 marbles left.)