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6 Beads

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level

6 Beads printable sheet

If you put three beads onto a tens and ones abacus you can make the numbers 3, 30, 12 or 21.

The first abacus shows 0 tens and 3 ones; the second abacus shows 3 tens and 0 ones; the third abacus shows 1 ten and 2 ones; the fourth abacus shows 2 tens and 1 one.

 

Explore the numbers you can make using six beads.
 
Six loose beads are shown next to an empty abacus with spaces for tens and ones.

Can you find all the ways of using six beads?

How do you know you have found them all?

If you would like to try another task which involves finding all possible solutions, you could look at Three Ball Line Up.

The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.
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NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.