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Triple Cubes

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level

cubes pic
Well, here I've placed a group of cubes. They are in threes and coloured differently.
 
What do you notice about them?
 
You could get $8$ triple cubes like these, each triple a different colour. Don't separate the triple but use them as building blocks to see what you can make.
 
For some of you it would be good to keep the eight triple cubes facing their own ways and not turn them around. In this way we keep eight arrangements that are different.
 
We can now use these as building blocks to make interesting arrangements and shapes. Here is one to start us off.
 eg3
Notice how I've joined them together with square faces touching. This might be the way that you decide to build.
 
Or, you may include some "edge" joining as in this one.
 eg4
 
So now it's your turn to see what you can make from these eight triple cubes.

 
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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