This is part of our collection of favourite rich tasks arranged by topic.
If you are a teacher, you can find the whole collection on our Primary Curriculum teacher page.
Alternatively, if you are a student, you'll find the same problems on our Primary Curriculum student page.
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problemFavouriteOne Big Triangle
Make one big triangle so the numbers that touch on the small triangles add to 10.
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problemFavouriteButterfly Flowers
Which two butterfly numbers add to make the flower number of 15? What about 16?
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problemFavouriteRobot Monsters
Use these head, body and leg pieces to make Robot Monsters which are different heights.
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problemFavouriteCuisenaire Counting
Here are some rods that are different colours. How could I make a yellow rod using white and red rods?
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problemFavouriteNumber Balance
Can you hang weights in the right place to make the the number balance balanced?
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problemFavouriteDomino Sorting
Try grouping the dominoes in the ways described. Are there any left over each time? Can you explain why?
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problemFavouriteNumber Lines
Leah and Tom each have a number line. Can you work out where their counters will land?
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problemFavouriteTug of War
Can you use the numbers on the dice to reach your end of the number line before your partner does?
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problemFavouriteSort Them Out (1)
Can you each work out the number on your card? What do you notice? How could you sort the cards?
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problemFavouriteEven and Odd
This group activity is all about representing and adding odd and even numbers.
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problemFavouritePairs of Numbers
Which numbers can you put into pairs that add to 10? Which ones do you have to leave out?
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problemFavouriteWhat Was in the Box?
This box does something to the numbers that go into it. What might be happening inside the box?
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problemFavouriteTwo Numbers Under the Microscope
What happens when you add two odd numbers together?
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problemFavouriteWhat Could It Be?
In this calculation, the box represents a missing digit. What could the digit be?
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problemFavouriteDouble or Halve?
Throw the dice and decide whether to double or halve the number. Will you be the first to reach the target?
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problemFavouriteAlways, Sometimes or Never? KS1
Are these statements about number and shape always, sometimes or never true?
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problemFavouriteArranging Additions and Sorting Subtractions
Order these four calculations from easiest to hardest. How did you decide?
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problemFavouriteFruity Pairs
Which two items of fruit could Kate and Sam choose? What would it cost?
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problemFavouriteSubtraction Slip
Can you spot the mistake in this video? How would you work out the answer to this calculation?
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problemFavouriteHow Many Cubes?
This problem challenges you to work out the number of cubes hidden under a cloth.
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problemFavouriteNumber Round Up
Arrange the numbers 1 to 6 so that the sum of each side of the triangle equals the number in its centre.
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problemFavouriteBirthday Cakes
Jack's mum used the same candles on his and his sister Kate's birthday cakes. When was Kate born?
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problemFavouriteHeads and Feet
On a farm there were some animals with 8 heads and 22 feet altogether. How many hens were there?
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problemFavouriteMagic Squares
What do you notice about these squares of numbers? What is the same? What is different?
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problemFavouriteLadybirds in the Garden
There are ladybirds with 7 spots or 4 spots in this garden. What numbers of total spots can you make?
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problemFavouriteEggs in Baskets
There are three baskets holding a total of 10 eggs. How many eggs are in each basket?
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problemFavouriteThe Tall Tower
As you come down the ladders of the Tall Tower you collect useful spells. How many can you collect?
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problemFavouriteFinding Fifteen
Tim had nine cards. How could he have put them into three piles so that the total in each pile was 15?
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problemFavouriteRing a Ring of Numbers
Choose four numbers to put in the squares so that the differences between joined squares are odd.
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problemFavouriteMaking Longer, Making Shorter
Ahmed is making rods using different numbers of cubes. Which rod is twice the length of his first rod?
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problemFavouriteSecret Number
Annie and Ben are playing a game with a calculator. What was Annie's secret number?
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problemFavouriteCaterpillars
What number patterns can you see in the different arrangements of these caterpillars?
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problemFavouriteFind the Difference
Place numbers in the circles so that each number is the difference between the two numbers below it.
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problemFavouriteFive Steps to 50
Use five steps to count forwards or backwards in 1s or 10s to get to 50. What strategies did you use?
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problemFavouriteThe Amazing Splitting Plant
Can you work out how many flowers there will be on this plant after six weeks?
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problemFavourite2, 4, 6, 8
Using the cards 2, 4, 6, 8, +, - and =, what number statements can you make?
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problemFavouriteThe Tomato and the Bean
Tom had a tomato plant and he sowed a bean seed. When will the two plants be the same height?
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problemFavouriteThe Brown Family
Use the information about Sally and her brother to find out how many children there are in the Brown family.
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problemFavouriteStrike It Out
This game involves addition and subtraction skills combined with some strategic thinking.
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problemFavouriteTake Three Numbers
What happens when you add three numbers together? Will your answer be odd or even?
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problemFavouriteDoing and Undoing
This investigation involving the four operations looks at doing and undoing.
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problemFavouriteDicey Addition
In these addition games, you'll need to think strategically to get closest to the target.
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problemFavouriteAlways, Sometimes or Never?
Are these statements relating to odd and even numbers always, sometimes or never true?