Copyright © University of Cambridge. All rights reserved.
'Reef and Granny' printed from https://nrich.maths.org/
Show menu
Reef and Granny
This is a reef knot:
And this is a granny knot:
Before you read any further, it might be a good idea to make a reef knot and a granny knot. You do not need coloured string - it can even be done with shoelaces!
Can you see any differences between them?
When a reef knot is pulled tight it looks like this:
When a granny knot is pulled tight it looks like this:
... or this:
or this:
Which do you think is the best knot for making things secure?
Why?
Why do this problem?
Knots are a fascinating subject and this problem is a good way to begin exploring them.
This problem is probably best approached in a very practical way with children - giving them some string to tie the knots for themselves. However, before this, encourage your pupils to predict which knot will be best and why. If they take time to hypothesise they will get a lot more out of the practical task.
Key questions
- How do you think you can tie that knot?
- If you want to make things secure with a knot, what do you think is important?
- Why don't you try tying two things together using each knot to test which knot stays in the same shape?
- Do you think that this will make it less likely to slip?
Possible extension
Learners could have a go at this problem
Possible support
Suggest using this information with real string:
To tie a reef knot you take an end of the string in each hand and do 'right over left, left over right'. A granny knot is 'right over left, right over left again'.