find an LU factorization of the given matrix

Survey of Math Week 1 Notes Section 1.1: Problem Solving George Poyla’s Problem-Solving Method: 1. Understand what the question is asking. 2. Create a plan to solve the question. 3. Execute your plan to get an answer. 4. Check the answer that you get. Strategies to help solve math problems:  Draw pictures (Trees, bar graphs, pie charts, etc.).  Choose good names for unknown variables.  Be systematic.  Look for patterns.  Try a simpler version of the problem.  Rewrite the problem in a way that is familiar.  Make guesses (At least as a place to start tackling the problem). Key Principles:  Always Principle: If something is mathematically proven to be true, then it is always true.  Counterexample Principle: If an example can be found that disproves a mathematical statement, then that statement is not valid.  Order Principle: The order of operations in a problem matters to get the correct answer.  Splitting-Hairs Principle: If two signs in mathematics look similar, but sound different, then they do not mean the same thing.  Analogies Principle: Many terms in mathematics that sound like words used in everyday life are not coincidental.  Three-Way Principle: There are three main ways to approach a mathematical problem. 1. Verbally: Explain the problem in your own words in order to make sense of it. 2. Graphically: Use pictures and diagrams. 3. By Example: Create exa