Unit 4 Discussion: Solving Percent Application Problems Introduction In Success Tip #4, we learned about the importance of productive struggle in solving not only math problems but all problems. To give yourself a framework for productively struggling through a word problem, we will learn and utilize Polya's 4-Step Problem Solving Process. George Polya, known as the father of modern problem solving, developed this famous four-step process for problem-solving: Step 1: Understand the problem. Step 2: Devise a plan (translate). Step 3: Carry out the plan (solve). Step 4: Look back (check and interpret). It does help to metacognitively think through each step of the problem-solving process when solving any problem - you will begin to gain confidence in your problem-solving skills. Often our frustration lies in the first step, understanding the problem. If you are unclear as to what needs to be solved, you will unproductively struggle to get started. Read the problem carefully. Sounds simple enough, but some people jump the gun and try to start solving the problem before they have read the whole problem. Once the problem is read, visualize and relate to the problem. Finally, I like to make an estimation/conjecture. Often in the real world