Marlene Martinez

Professor Post
Math 143, MW 4-5:15pm
Chapter Summary
9/10/12
Chapter 2 Summary
In this chapter there are three main phases that are discussed. These three
Phases are Entry, Attack and Review. They are used to solve the math problems we
may run into from time to time. Moving from one phase to another corresponds to
a change in your feelings about the question. It also reflects the progress that is or
is not being made. Work in the Entry phase often begins with specializing in order
to get to a grip on the question.
The Entry phase is when we formulate the question with what we need to
do. I understood that it can go two ways. One is by absorbing the information
given and then finding out what the question is really asking. Entry is to make
some preparations for the attack, like deciding on a notation or recording the
results. It is good to ask these three questions when we are in the Entry phase. They
are: What do I know? What do I want? What can I introduce? I also read that it is
helpful to draw a diagram and then ask the questions. To mark down the
information you know on it. A diagram is one of the most powerful tools for
showing information and it can be useful not only in geometric questions but in
other situations too. The Tethered Goat is a problem that is an example for this
phase. Restating the Tethered Goat is helpful. The goat swings around the shed in a
sequence of circular arcs and we want to find the total area of the sectors.
The second question is what do I want? In this question I learned it helps in
figuring out what it is we have to do to find an answer or prove something is true.
For example, in the Tethered Goat example, it is good to know what you are
looking for. To label the area with an A, so we know what it is it stands for. There
is also another good example in the chapter for this phase that is one of the
envelopes. This example asks how should I make myself an envelope? It was
helpful to know that if you are stuck it is good to ask yourself these questions.
Have you examined some typical envelopes? What size paper do I need to make an
envelope for a given size of writing paper? Do I need an envelope at all? What
properties must an envelope have?
In next phase is what can I introduce? There is sometimes a need for us to
draw out a diagram or picture to understand the problem better. Sometimes it
necessary to introduce charts or tables for organizing data and symbols to stand for

objects. Recording or a representation puts you in a good position to begin the

Attack phase.
The Attack phase is when you feel that the question has moved inside you
and become your own. It can also be when we have stopped working on a problem
or actually resolved it. In this phase I learned that many things can be tried out and
we can make plans for solving the problem as well. There may be times when we
have tried many things and nothing gives us the right answer and when that
happens we need to concentrate on recognizing when we are stuck and accepting it
calmly.
I also read about another phase that is the Review phase. This phase helps
when we are stuck on a math problem. It is a good idea to make sure we review our
work first before giving up. It involves both looking back, to check what we have
done and to reflect on key ideas, and look forward to extend the processes and the
results to more context. The three words: check, reflect and context will help. We
need to check the solution, reflect on the key ideas and moments, and extend the
results.
I feel it is helpful to note down the information given when working on a
math problem. Then try solving it and using the three phases. Then we can check
our work and reflect on what we did right or wrong. If our answer is not right then
see what we have to do to improve in the way we are solving the problem.
Problems I have recently worked on have involved drawing of diagrams or tables.
They have involved generalizing and specializing to find the solutions. One issue I
have is being not being able to find a solution to a problem where there is a pattern
and we have to find a new formula using a formula we have already been given.