Counters

Counters are a great resource that we can use in mathematics in a number of ways, for example to show patterns, to model our thinking or to keep track of moves. We have put together a number of activities that all use counters - can you work out the different ways in which the counters are used? Can you find some ways which aren't mentioned? Are there examples where stones or pebbles or … would be just as good? Are there examples where the roundness of the counter matters? Are there examples where lots of the same thing is important?

Bracelets 

Stage: 2 Challenge Level:

Investigate the different shaped bracelets you could make from 18 different spherical beads. How do they compare if you use 24 beads?

Square Corners 

Stage: 2 Challenge Level:

What is the greatest number of counters you can place on the grid below without four of them lying at the corners of a square?

First Connect Three 

Stage: 2 and 3 Challenge Level:

The idea of this game is to add or subtract the two numbers on the dice and cover the result on the grid, trying to get a line of three. Are there some numbers that are good to aim for?