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The Pet Graph

Tim's class collected data about all their pets. Can you put the animal names under each column in the block graph using the information?

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How Big Are Classes 5, 6 and 7?

Use the two sets of data to find out how many children there are in Classes 5, 6 and 7.

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Presenting the Project

Have a look at all the information Class 5 have collected about themselves. Can you find out whose birthday it is today?

You Never Get a Six

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Why do this problem?

This problem challenges learners to interpret data carefully and to search for all the information that there is implicit in any graphical representation. The question encourages them to contrast different ways of representing similar data and helps to make explicit their interpretation of what the data represents in order to solve the problem.

Later on in secondary school children often leave out the labels on axes so rendering the representation meaningless. This question will help children to realise the significance of the labels.

Possible approach

You could get the group to make about sixteen throws of a die and make a rough bar chart of the results of the throws on the board. Then give a brief introduction to the problem as given '?? just reading will probably be sufficient.

After this learners could work in pairs on the actual problem from a computer or a printed sheet so that they are able to talk through their ideas with a partner.

At the end of the lesson you should discuss not only the answers to the problem itself, and how these were reached, but also to stress why it is important not to leave out the labels on axes of a graph.

Key questions

What number does green (etc) represent?
What colour is six (etc)?
How can you label this axis?
How many times did they all throw the dice?

Possible extension

Learners could make graphical representations of their own dice throws or do How Big Are Classes 5, 6 and 7?

Possible support

Suggest trying The Pet Graph first which is simpler and easier to understand.

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice. More information on many of our other activities can be found here.
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NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.