Problem SolvingCreating an

Organised List

Creating an Organised List This strategy is similar to drawing a

table but it is normally used when there is more information available.

You need to follow a procedure or sequence to make sure or all possibilities are listed an not repeated.

When creating a list, one item should be kept the same or constant while the others change.

Work Sequentially Decide on a starting point then work

in an order. Example:The school captain and vice-captain

are to be chosen from 7 prefects. How many different choices can be made?

Let the symbols A B C D E F and G stand for the seven prefects.

Filling In The Gaps After Working Out A Pattern

Example:Various animals are split in half and

different combinations of the tops and bottoms are created. The animals used are a fish, dog, cat, mouse, guinea pig and rabbit. How many different combinations can be made?

Top Bottom

Fish Dog

Cat

Mouse

Guinea Pig

Rabbit

There are five combinations for every top of an animal.

What would the answer be?

Combinations of Numbers Sometimes you will be given

problems that ask you to combine a series of numbers.

Example:Using the digits 1, 2 and 3 how many 3

digit numbers can you make?

123 213 312

132 231 321

Problem 1David, Brett, Jenna and Carmel are

lining up to go to the cinema. How many different ways can they line up?

Problem 2

How many different double scoop ice cream cones can be made using the flavours vanilla, chocolate and strawberry?

Vanilla on top and choc on bottom is the same as choc on top and vanilla on bottom.

Problem 6

If you toss two coins in the air, what are all the possible outcomes when they land?