E P S E Problem Solving Model Explore

E. P. S. E Problem Solving Model • Explore • Plan • Solve • Examine

E. P. S. E Problem Solving Model Explore – Fact Finding. Plan – How will I solve this problem? 1)Read the whole problem carefully. Reread if necessary. 2)What do you need to find out? 1)Explain what strategy or strategies you will use to solve the problem without using numbers or number words. 2)Estimate when appropriate using your strategy. (You may use numbers (Write the question. ) 3)What facts do you know? (List them. ) here. ) Solve – Find the answer. Examine – Show the problem is 1)Use your plan to find the answer. 2)Show all your work. 3)Rewrite the question(s) using the answer. (As a sentence. ) 4)Circle the answer sentence. reasonable. 1)Did you answer the right question(s)? 2)Does my answer make sense? · Compare the estimate to your EXAMPLE!! answer. · Reverse the operation(s) / Solve Backwards… · Use common sense!

Explore – Fact Finding 1. Read the whole problem carefully. Reread if necessary. 2. What do you need to find out? (Write the question. ) 3. What facts do you know? (List them. )

Plan – How will I solve this problem? 1. Explain what strategy or strategies you will use to solve the problem without using numbers or number words. 2. Estimate when appropriate using your strategy. (You may use numbers here. )

Solve – Find the answer 1. Use your plan to find the answer. 2. Show all your work. 3. Rewrite the question (as a sentence. ) using the answer. 4. Circle the answer in the sentence.

Examine – show the problem is reasonable 1. Did you answer the right question(s)? 2. Does my answer make sense? • Compare the estimate to your answer • reverse the operation(s)/solve backwards • use common sense!

• Use the EPSE model to solve the following word problem: The Farells want to buy a VCR that costs $460. They plan to make a down payment of $100 and pay the rest in eight equal payments. What will be the amount of each payment?

Explore Plan Facts: VCR cost $460; make down payment of $100; pay rest in 8 equal payments Need to find: What will be the amount of each payment? Solve Strategy: Subtract down payment from the cost; then divide into equal payments Estimate: (when appropriate) ($500 – $100) ÷ 8 = $50 Examine Show work: 460 – 100 = 360 ÷ 8 = 45 Word sentence: The amount of each payment will be $45. Did I answer the right question? yes Compare actual answer & estimate Actual: $45 Estimate: $50 Does my answer make sense? Yes, because $45 x 8 = $360 and $360 + $100 = $460 and that’s how much the VCR cost.