To help you organize your information, you should create at table. A table can help arrange your thoughts and determine if their are any patterns in the problem that can help your find a solution.
Heres an example problem for when to use a table: Holly checked a book out of the library and read this notice about fines: If a book is 1 day overdue, the fine is 1¢, 2 days overdue, 2¢, 3 days overdue, 4¢, and so on. If Holly's book is 7 days overdue, how much is her fine?
Understanding the Problem
· How much is the fine for 1 day? (1 ¢)
· How much is the fine for 2 days? (2¢)
· How much is the fine for 3 days? (4¢)
Planning a Solution
· How much would the fine be for 4 days if we double the previous day? (8¢)
· How much is the fine for 5 days? (16¢)
Finding the Answer
Make a Table!
Understanding the Problem
· How much is the fine for 1 day? (1 ¢)
· How much is the fine for 2 days? (2¢)
· How much is the fine for 3 days? (4¢)
Planning a Solution
· How much would the fine be for 4 days if we double the previous day? (8¢)
· How much is the fine for 5 days? (16¢)
Finding the Answer
Make a Table!