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'Back to the Planet of Vuvv' printed from https://nrich.maths.org/
Why do this
problem?
This
problem one which requires some knowledge of both place value
and different bases. Working in another base can help with real
understanding of our base-$10$ number system.
You could start this by either explaining or re-visiting
counting in a base such as $6$. Base $7$ could be introduced using
the days of a week as an example.
Key questions
If Zios count in $3$s, what will their first 2-digit number be
in human numbers?
If Zepts count in $7$s, what will their first 2-digit number
be in human numbers?
What is $122, 22, 101, 41$ in Zio counting?
What is $122, 22, 101, 41$ in Zept counting?
Would drawing a sketch help with sorting out the four compass
points?
Possible extension
Learners could make a similar puzzle for themselves, or go on to
this similar problem:
Basically.
Possible support
Suggest trying
Alien Counting
instead which is a simpler problem of the same type.