Communicating and Reflecting - February 2009, Stage 2&3

We are used to sharing findings and reflecting on what we've done when we arrive at the solution to a problem, but there is great value in doing this whilst working on problems. Good problem solvers reflect on their progress while they work, asking themselves "Is there a better way to proceed?". When recording their work they communicate their ideas (initially for themselves and then possibly for others); good ideas can come from sharing thoughts and reviewing progress.

Problems

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It's All about 64

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Write the numbers up to 64 in an interesting way so that the shape they make at the end is interesting, different, more exciting ... than just a square.

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Four-digit Targets

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

You have two sets of the digits 0 – 9. Can you arrange these in the five boxes to make four-digit numbers as close to the target numbers as possible?

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Make 100

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Find at least one way to put in some operation signs (+ - x ÷) to make these digits come to 100.

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Bean Bags for Bernard's Bag

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

How could you put eight beanbags in the hoops so that there are four in the blue hoop, five in the red and six in the yellow? Can you find all the ways of doing this?

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Ice Cream

Stage: 2 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

You cannot choose a selection of ice cream flavours that includes totally what someone has already chosen. Have a go and find all the different ways in which seven children can have ice cream.

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Can They Be Equal?

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:1

Can you find rectangles where the value of the area is the same as the value of the perimeter?

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Power Mad!

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:2 Challenge Level:2

Powers of numbers behave in surprising ways. Take a look at some of these and try to explain why they are true.

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For Richer for Poorer

Stage: 3 Challenge Level: Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3 Challenge Level:3

Charlie has moved between countries and the average income of both has increased. How can this be so?

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