Problem Solving in Mathematics

Catalog description

All of mathematics involves problem solving, yet in most courses, the activities of invention and discovery, which lead to problem solutions, is implicit in the discourse, but not often taught. This course will examine in detail the very processes that can be applied to finding solutions. Development of effective problem-solving strategies based on problems from content areas of mathematics to include numeration, algebra, geometry, data analysis, measurement, statistics, probability, discrete mathematics, pre-calculus, and calculus. The focus of this course is to increase students' abilities to use knowledge and experience when encountering new and unexpected situations. Develop higher level thinking skills, learn to formulate, analyze, and model problems. This course is intended primarily for prospective mathematics teachers.