Factor Lines

This problem will help children become more familiar with factors and multiples, and in order to find all the lines, a systematic approach is required. It will encourage learners to talk to each other and provides a good context in which to discuss different methods of approach. It has lots of scope for being opened out and extended through 'what if ...?' questions.

You could introduce this problem by showing the group the interactivity which you have edited so that you have a $4$ by $4$ grid of numbers $1$ to $16$ and you are able to drag the numbers $3$, $5$ and $10$. Tell the children that you are going to make lines of three, but they have to work out the rules for making a line. Make one line (e.g. the $5$, $10$ and $3$ over the $1$, $2$ and $3$ respectively) and invite the children to talk to each other about what they think the rules are at this stage. Then give them another line (e.g. the $5$, $10$ and $3$ over the $1$, $5$ and $9$ respectively) and ask them to talk further to clarify the rules. You could give them another line before having a whole-class discussion about the rules.

Once you have established the rules, you could set the challenge of finding lines of four with the $1$ to $25$ grid. Children could use the interactivity or a copy of this sheet . Give them time to work in pairs without saying too much more and then bring them all together for a mini-plenary at a suitable moment. Give learners a chance to share what they have done so far so that some different ways of approaching the task are revealed and different ways of recording are discussed. You may find some draw attention to the properties of some of the numbers in the grid, for example the way in which the prime numbers affect a line of four. If this does not come up naturally, you may like to bring it up later in the lesson.

After giving children more time to work on the problem, you could invite everyone to contribute to a whole-group solution, perhaps recording lines collectively on the board using the interactivity. At this point, encourage the pupils to scrutinise the grid carefully so that everyone is happy all the lines have been found. This will rely on having a systematic way of working, but there are many systems that could be adopted.

You can extend this challenge in an infinite number of ways (see below) and you may like to choose some of the suggestions to leave for children to mull over during the following week. You could set up part of your wall as a place for learners to pin up contributions and then you could plan to review the work altogether at a future date.

Of course, the interactivity in this problem can be returned to time after time, as it can be tailored to suit your objectives.

Which of the cards can be multiples?

Which can be factors?

Can any be both?

How will you remember which lines you have found?

Are there any other ways to make that line?

Are there any numbers on the grid which are impossible to cover? Why or why not?

Which of the four numbers will be the most difficult to place do you think? Why?

Which of the four numbers will be the easiest to place do you think? Why?

Children could investigate whether by rearranging the grid numbers, they could increase/decrease the number of lines. Could they pick four different dragging numbers so that more/fewer lines could be made? Could they choose different grid numbers to increase/decrease the number of lines? What would happen if, rather than a line, the aim was to get a block of four, or an 'L' shape? Of course children will be able to come up with their own questions to investigate.

You can use the interactivity to change the size of the grid and the numbers used. Some children might find it easier to start with a $4$ by $4$ grid and to identify lines of three, for example. Cutting out the numbers at the bottom of this sheet might be useful so that they can be moved around the grid. Alternatively, transparent counters with numbers stuck on them would be helpful.

Many thanks to all the teachers participating in the Enriching Mathematics in Devon Project who provided lots of ideas and inspiration for these notes.