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Back to The Problem with Problem Solving

Consecutive Numbers

An investigation involving adding and subtracting sets of consecutive numbers. Lots to find out, lots to explore.

Roll These Dice

Roll two red dice and a green dice. Add the two numbers on the red dice and take away the number on the green. What are all the different possible answers?

Domino Square

Use the 'double-3 down' dominoes to make a square so that each side has eight dots.

Build it Up

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level

We start with any four numbers (not zero!):

We then add them in pairs and place the total above them:

And we then add in pairs the new numbers we just got:

We do the same with those two numbers to get our final number:

You need to find four starting numbers to place at the bottom so that when you get to the top it's 15 each time.

Try to find as many starting four numbers as you can.

Think about good ways to do this. Maybe use a system!

Here's a pdf version of this task: BuildItUp.pdf

What little change can you make to the rules to explore again?

What new ideas can you think of to make this different? Explore those!

Here is a brand new variation that has lots and lots within it to explore No longer 4 numbers at the bottom, but 7 and they are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 build it up in the same way as before and when you've reached the top EXPLORE and CREATE other versions.

You may like to take a look at this follow-on activity: Build it up More.