The school trip
Lorenzie was packing his bag for a school trip. He packed four
shirts and three pairs of pants. "I will be able to have a
different outfit each day", he said. How many days will Lorenzie be
away?
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Problem
Lewis was packing his bag for a school trip. He packed four tops, two pairs of jeans and a pair of shorts.
"I will be able to have a different outfit each day," Lewis said to his mother.
Image
What is the most number of days that he can be away for, on the trip?
Getting Started
This sheet has pictures
of the clothes that can be coloured and cut out to help make the
different outfits.
Student Solutions
We have been sent this anonymous solution which is set out very
clearly in a table. Thank you!
So Lewis could be away for twelve days.
Image
So Lewis could be away for twelve days.
Teachers' Resources
Why do this problem?
This
activity could be a good one to introduce children to look for
combinations in an organised way having previously gone about it
randomly.
Possible approach
It would be good to start this off altogether having some from
of display that could be moved about to put combinations
together.
This sheet has
pictures of the clothes. It can be photocopied, coloured and cut
out to help make the different outfits.
Key questions
Tell me which trousers you could wear with this shirt.
Tell me which shirt you could wear with these trousers.
How many different outfits use these trousers?
Possible extension
Extensions could be suggested by the children themselves - if
not encourage ideas like "what would happen if he had one more top
to take with him?"
Possible support
Some pupils may need to work closely with an adult in order
that a check can be made that there are no duplications.
This sheet has
pictures of the clothes. Itcan be photocopied, coloured
and cut out to help make the different outfits.