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'Delia's Routes' printed from https://nrich.maths.org/
Why do this
problem?
This problem has a story line that will encourage learners to
become involved in Delia's nocturnal adventures. To answer the
question How many days before Delia has to take the same route
again? requires the children to find all of the possibilities.
Given the number of pathways, this problem could be ongoing asking
the children if they could find another three or four routes each
day over a couple of weeks.
This sheet gives 6 copies of
Delia's garden plan.
Key questions
How many tiles along and how many tiles up must Delia go on
each journey?
Can you think of a way to record all the different pathways
Delia could take?
How many ways can you go when you get to this junction?
Which tiles can Delia not run along because they go into the
pond?
Possible extension
Learners could repeat the problem with a differently-sized pond
and/or garden.
Possible support
Suggest using different colours to find different routes on
this sheet.