Hidden Gems

To celebrate NRICH's 20th birthday we have selected some 'hidden gems' to share with you.

We have chosen some tasks which you may not have come across before, perhaps because they are not so closely linked to the curriculum, perhaps because they have not been featured recently on the website or perhaps because they are relatively new. However, all of them are rich mathematical activities which will intrigue your learners and encourage them to think mathematically. To find out more about the reasons for selecting each one, take a look at the article below.

We hope you enjoy exploring.

article

Hidden Gems: Tasks to Celebrate our 20th Birthday

This article for primary teachers outlines the reasons for us selecting the tasks in our Hidden Gems Feature.

problem

Favourite

That number square

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Exploring the structure of a number square: how quickly can you put the number tiles in the right place on the grid?

problem

Favourite

Always, Sometimes or Never? KS1

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Are these statements relating to calculation and properties of shapes always true, sometimes true or never true?

problem

Animated Triangles

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Watch this "Notes on a Triangle" film. Can you recreate parts of the film using cut-out triangles?

problem

Favourite

Up and Down Staircases

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

One block is needed to make an up-and-down staircase, with one step up and one step down. How many blocks would be needed to build an up-and-down staircase with 5 steps up and 5 steps down?

problem

Favourite

Always, Sometimes or Never? Shape

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Are these statements always true, sometimes true or never true?

problem

Favourite

Method in multiplying madness?

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

Watch our videos of multiplication methods that you may not have met before. Can you make sense of them?

problem

Ice Cream

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

You cannot choose a selection of ice cream flavours that includes totally what someone has already chosen. Have a go and find all the different ways in which seven children can have ice cream.

Here you will find some more lower primary 'hidden gems' from NRICH, which we have selected as part of our feature to celebrate NRICH's 20th birthday.

problem

Favourite

Jig Shapes

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Can you each work out what shape you have part of on your card? What will the rest of it look like?

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

Always, Sometimes or Never?

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Are these statements relating to odd and even numbers always true, sometimes true or never true?

Here you will find some more upper primary 'hidden gems' from NRICH, which we have selected as part of our feature to celebrate NRICH's 20th birthday.