APPLICABILITY OF POLYA’S PROBLEM SOLVING PRINCIPLES IN TEACHING COMPONENTS OF VECTORS AND THE DIRECTION COSINES IN THREE DIMENSIONAL SPHERES

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper applied Polya’s four-step of problem solving method to solve components of vectors and the direction cosine in three dimensional spheres. The paper identifies difficulties that students encounter in understanding the identified concepts. It identified four steps of Polya’s problem solving to include: understanding the problem, developing a plan, carrying out the plan and looking back. The four steps were applied in solving unit vector and the direction cosine of angles in three dimensional spheres. The paper concludes that Polya’s four-step of problem solving could be used in solving problems in other fields. Therefore teachers should apply it in other fields so as to guide students answer questions during examination. This paper recommends that: Polya’s four steps of solving problems should be applied to solve problems in other fields of study; Mathematics teachers should apply Polya’s problem solving principles in teaching mathematical concepts at all stages.

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