One Big Triangle

Problem | Teachers' Notes | Hint | Solution | Printable page |
Stage: 1 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Why do this problem?

This problem is useful for recalling and learning all the pairs of numbers with a total of 10 and working out the corresponding subtraction facts. The interactive version will help children to remain engaged with the problem as it is easy to use. However, for children who are fluent with the combinations to ten, this problem is still relevant because of the logic element. If using the cards rather than the interactivity, learners will also need to visualise triangles in different orientations in order to solve the problem.

Possible approach

You could start the lesson by asking the children to tell you pairs of numbers that add to $10$. Then you could introduce the interactivity with the whole group on the interactive whiteboard.

After this, children can work in pairs on the problem with cards made from this sheet so that they are able to talk through their ideas with a partner. (If these are printed onto thin card and laminated you will have a permanent set that can be used for other purposes as well.) The cards are more difficult to arrange than the interactivity because they can be rotated.

During a plenary, encourage the children to talk about the strategies they have used. Did they guess and then check? Or did they have a more systematic approach to the problem? Did they imagine what a triangle would look like in a particular position before placing it there? You might find learners have used visualisation to plan which piece will go where. Discuss the solutions that have been found. Are they all the same? Do they look the same as the interactivity? If not, can the children suggest why this should be so?

More about games that can be played with cards such as these can be found here along with some cards to download. (There is a commercial game version of these triangles called Tri-ominoes).

Key questions

What do you need to put with $7$ ... to make $10$?
Can you find a different card with that number on it?

Possible extension

Children who finish quickly could use the cards to make a shape (not necessarily a triangle) where the touching numbers add to $9$ (or $8$ or $11$). Alternatively, they could add their own choice of numbers to blank triangular pieces to create their own activity.

Possible support

Children could use the cards to make a different shape (not necessarily a triangle) where the touching numbers add to $10$. Alternatively, learners could use the interactivity which will be sure to hold attention and increase persistence and perseverance.

Published April 2001,March 2009,April 2009.