This activity provides a good extension to the Plants activity when you have an exceptional pupil who you think could go so much further. It offers opportunities for both graphical and spreadsheet work. As with the more accessible version of this activity, it provides an opportunity for pupils to think creatively about those aspects of mathematics in which they may not have had any instruction.

 

Introduce the Plants activity and discuss with the pupil how this could be extended using this challenge. 

What ways are you finding for drawing the appropriate diagrams?

Tell me about the areas you have obtained.

What have you set up on your spreadsheet/in your table?