Stage: 1 Challenge Level: 
Why do this problem?
Not only will children be using their knowledge of properties
of squares as they try
this activity , but they will also be putting into practice
their visualising skills. Tangrams can be great to work on in pairs
and this will encourage the pupils to talk together about what they
are doing - a great opportunity for you to listen!
One of the main benefits of tangrams is the ability to
manipulate the pieces; to "play" with the shapes and get a feel for
the challenge. For this reason, it would be a good idea to
encourage pupils to print off and cut out the shapes for themselves
from this
sheet.
Key questions
How many pieces have you got altogether?
What could you put with this piece to make a square?
Are all the pieces different?
What's the smallest square you can make?
Possible extension
To find more tangrams on the site (many of which have interactivities), enter 'tangram' in the top right-hand search box.
Possible support
You may have to encourage some children to experiment and 'have
a go'.
Squares. Interlocking cubes. Mixed triangles. Interactivities. Compound transformations. Visualising. Tangram. Working systematically. Investigations. Practical Activity.
Published January 2003.
Copyright © 2007. University of Cambridge. All rights reserved.
NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project, which also includes the Plus and Motivate sites.
email: nrich@damtp.cam.ac.uk