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Being Resilient - Upper Primary Students

Being Resilient - Upper Primary is part of our Being a Good Thinker - Upper Primary collection.

Good thinkers are resilient. They don't give up easily, and are motivated to work hard and keep going when faced with challenges. They recognise that we all fail sometimes, and when this happens, they bounce back and try alternative approaches.

How can you become a resilient mathematician?

Here are some problems that may require some determination. The solutions may not be immediately obvious, so you will need to persevere. Success can be sweeter after a struggle!

You can browse through the Number, Measures, Geometry or Statistics collections, or scroll down to see the full set of problems below.
Plants
problem
Favourite

Plants

Age
5 to 14
Challenge level
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Three children are going to buy some plants for their birthdays. They will plant them within circular paths. How could they do this?
The Deca Tree
problem
Favourite

The Deca Tree

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Find out what a Deca Tree is and then work out how many leaves there will be after the woodcutter has cut off a trunk, a branch, a twig and a leaf.
Fractional Triangles
problem
Favourite

Fractional Triangles

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Use the lines on this figure to show how the square can be divided into 2 halves, 3 thirds, 6 sixths and 9 ninths.

Nine-Pin Triangles
problem
Favourite

Nine-Pin Triangles

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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How many different triangles can you make on a circular pegboard that has nine pegs?
Brush Loads
problem
Favourite

Brush Loads

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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How can you arrange the 5 cubes so that you need the smallest number of Brush Loads of paint to cover them? Try with other numbers of cubes as well.

Shape Times Shape
problem
Favourite

Shape Times Shape

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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These eleven shapes each stand for a different number. Can you use the number sentences to work out what they are?
Treasure Hunt
problem
Favourite

Treasure Hunt

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
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Can you find a reliable strategy for choosing coordinates that will locate the treasure in the minimum number of guesses?
Factors and Multiples Game
game
Favourite

Factors and Multiples Game

A game in which players take it in turns to choose a number. Can you block your opponent?

Maze 100
problem
Favourite

Maze 100

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Can you go through this maze so that the numbers you pass add to exactly 100?
Numerically Equal
problem
Favourite

Numerically Equal

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Can you draw a square in which the perimeter is numerically equal to the area?

Factor Lines
problem
Favourite

Factor Lines

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
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Arrange the four number cards on the grid, according to the rules, to make a diagonal, vertical or horizontal line.
Cut Nets
problem
Favourite

Cut Nets

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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Each of the nets of nine solid shapes has been cut into two pieces. Can you see which pieces go together?
Eight hidden squares
problem
Favourite

Eight hidden squares

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
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On the graph there are 28 marked points. These points all mark the vertices (corners) of eight hidden squares. Can you find the eight hidden squares?
Spiralling Decimals
game
Favourite

Spiralling Decimals

Take turns to place a decimal number on the spiral. Can you get three consecutive numbers?

Two and Two
problem
Favourite

Two and Two

Age
7 to 16
Challenge level
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How many solutions can you find to this sum? Each of the different letters stands for a different number.

Ten Hidden Squares
problem
Favourite

Ten Hidden Squares

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
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These points all mark the vertices (corners) of ten hidden squares. Can you find the 10 hidden squares?
More children and plants
problem

More children and plants

Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
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This challenge extends the Plants investigation so now four or more children are involved.
The Dice Train
problem
Favourite

The Dice Train

Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
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This dice train has been made using specific rules. How many different trains can you make?
Frogs
problem
Favourite

Frogs

Age
11 to 14
Challenge level
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How many moves does it take to swap over some red and blue frogs? Do you have a method?