Exploring Wild & Wonderful Number Patterns

EWWNP means Exploring Wild and Wonderful Number Patterns Created by Yourself! Investigate what happens if we create number patterns using some simple rules.

Sending Cards

This challenge asks you to investigate the total number of cards that would be sent if four children send one to all three others. How many would be sent if there were five children? Six?

Dice and Spinner Numbers

If you had any number of ordinary dice, what are the possible ways of making their totals 6? What would the product of the dice be each time?

Compare the Calculations

Age 7 to 11 Challenge Level:

There are four multiplication calculations hidden below.

Your challenge is to put them in order, from easiest to hardest. Try to do this without actually calculating each answer if you can.

Click on 'Show' to see them.

70 x 40

70 x 57

70 x 21

70 x 100

How did you decide the order?

We would love to hear the reasons for your final order.

You might like to do exactly the same with the set of four division calculations hidden below.

350 $\div$ 7

350 $\div$ 1

350 $\div$ 25

350 $\div$ 3

Create a set of four multiplications or four divisions yourself, which you think could be put in order from easiest to hardest.
Give them to someone else to order.
Do they agree with your final order? Why or why not?

You may find it useful to print off this sheet, which contains the two sets of calculations. You could cut them up into two sets of four cards.