Red Express Train

This activity can be used as a first entry for young pupils in exploring a somewhat open problem in which ordinary addition or subtraction play no apparent part. I have found that it is also useful in helping pupils develop some perseverance skills.

You can set out five small chairs of one colour and use two of a different colour in a straight line. Or, have five children of one gender and two of the other sitting behind each other.

How are you finding ways of having the carriages?

Have you got the correct number of carriages?

What could you do next?

Try extending the numbers used $5$ & $3$, $6$ & $3$ etc.

When the pupils are at their tables some may find it helpful to have coloured cubes or something similar to represent the carriages.