Counter ideas

Here are some ideas to try in the classroom for using counters to investigate number patterns.

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Exploring and noticing Working systematically Conjecturing and generalising Visualising and representing Reasoning, convincing and proving

Being curious Being resourceful Being resilient Being collaborative

Problem

Here are some ideas for using counters to investigate number patterns.

Image	Make different square arrays using nine counters. Discuss the patterns formed. [hint: 1,3,5/ 1,2,3,2,1/ 4,4,1 etc] What would a 2,2,2,2,1 look like? Continue the patterns for 16 counters in 4 by 4 arrays.
What is noticed now? Can anyone explain the patterns seen? Can anyone devise a different pattern? What about 25 counters in 5 by 5 arrays? Or 36 counters in 6 by 6 arrays?