These activities are part of our Primary collections, which are problems grouped by topic.
project
How many?
This project challenges you to work out the number of cubes hidden under a cloth. What questions would you like to ask?
problem
Favourite
What could it be?
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
In this calculation, the box represents a missing digit. What could the digit be? What would the solution be in each case?
problem
Favourite
Unit differences
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
This challenge is about finding the difference between numbers which have the same tens digit.
problem
Favourite
Two dice
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Find all the numbers that can be made by adding the dots on two dice.
problem
Favourite
Arranging additions and sorting subtractions
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Order these four calculations from easiest to hardest. How did you decide?
problem
Favourite
Subtraction slip
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Can you spot the mistake in this video? How would you work out the answer to this calculation?
problem
Favourite
One big triangle
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Make one big triangle so the numbers that touch on the small triangles add to 10.
problem
Favourite
Equivalent pairs
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Can you match pairs of cards which show the same amount?
problem
Favourite
Butterfly flowers
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Can you find two butterflies to go on each flower so that the numbers on each pair of butterflies adds to the number on their flower?
problem
Favourite
What's in a name?
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
What do you notice about these squares of numbers? What is the same? What is different?
problem
Favourite
Cuisenaire counting
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Here are some rods that are different colours. How could I make a yellow rod using white and red rods?
problem
Favourite
Number balance
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Can you hang weights in the right place to make the the number balance balanced?
problem
Favourite
Domino sorting
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Try grouping the dominoes in the ways described. Are there any left over each time? Can you explain why?
problem
Favourite
Number lines
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
A resource to try once children are familiar with number lines, and they have begun to use them for addition. It could be a good way to talk about subtraction. Leah and Tom each have a number line. Can you work out where their counters will land?
problem
Favourite
Strike it out
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
Use your addition and subtraction skills, combined with some strategic thinking, to beat your partner at this game.
problem
Favourite
Sort them out (1)
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Can you each work out the number on your card? What do you notice? How could you sort the cards?
problem
Favourite
Sitting round the party tables
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
Sweets are given out to party-goers in a particular way. Investigate the total number of sweets received by people sitting in different positions.
problem
Favourite
Pairs of numbers
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
If you have ten counters numbered 1 to 10, how many can you put into pairs that add to 10? Which ones do you have to leave out? Why?
problem
Favourite
The add and take-away path
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Two children made up a game as they walked along the garden paths. Can you find out their scores? Can you find some paths of your own?
problem
Favourite
Half time
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
What could the half time scores have been in these Olympic hockey matches?
problem
Favourite
Poly plug rectangles
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
The computer has made a rectangle and will tell you the number of spots it uses in total. Can you find out where the rectangle is?
problem
Favourite
What was in the box?
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
This big box adds something to any number that goes into it. If you know the numbers that come out, what addition might be going on in the box?
problem
Favourite
Doing and undoing
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
An investigation looking at doing and undoing mathematical operations focusing on doubling, halving, adding and subtracting.
problem
Favourite
How do you see it?
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
Here are some short problems for you to try. Talk to your friends about how you work them out.
problem
Favourite
Two spinners
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
What two-digit numbers can you make with these two dice? What can't you make?
problem
Favourite
Noah
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Noah saw 12 legs walk by into the Ark. How many creatures did he see?
problem
Favourite
Birthday cakes
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Jack's mum bought some candles to use on his birthday cakes and when his sister was born, she used them on her cakes too. Can you use the information to find out when Kate was born?
problem
Favourite
Heads and feet
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
On a farm there were some hens and sheep. Altogether there were 8 heads and 22 feet. How many hens were there?
problem
Favourite
Ladybirds in the garden
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
In Sam and Jill's garden there are two sorts of ladybirds with 7 spots or 4 spots. What numbers of total spots can you make?
problem
Favourite
Eggs in baskets
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
There are three baskets, a brown one, a red one and a pink one, holding a total of 10 eggs. How many eggs are in each basket?
problem
Favourite
Secret number
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Annie and Ben are playing a game with a calculator. What was Annie's secret number?
problem
Favourite
Find the difference
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Place the numbers 1 to 6 in the circles so that each number is the difference between the two numbers just below it.
problem
Favourite
Jumping squares
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
In this problem it is not the squares that jump, you do the jumping! The idea is to go round the track in as few jumps as possible.
problem
Favourite
2, 4, 6, 8
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Using the cards 2, 4, 6, 8, +, - and =, what number statements can you make?
problem
Favourite
Number round up
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Arrange the numbers 1 to 6 in each set of circles below. The sum of each side of the triangle should equal the number in its centre.
problem
Favourite
The Brown family
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
Use the information about Sally and her brother to find out how many children there are in the Brown family.
problem
Favourite
The tall tower
Age
5 to 7
Challenge level
As you come down the ladders of the Tall Tower you collect useful spells. Which way should you go to collect the most spells?