These activities all lend themselves to working systematically in the sense that it helps to have an ordered approach. This could mean using the information given in a particular order or perhaps approaching the task in a methodical way which reveals patterns, thereby giving insight into the solution.
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
A mixed-up clock
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
There is a clock-face where the numbers have become all mixed up. Can you find out where all the numbers have got to from these ten statements?
problem
Favourite
What do you need?
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Four of these clues are needed to find the chosen number on this grid and four are true but do nothing to help in finding the number. Can you sort out the clues and find the number?
problem
Favourite
A square of numbers
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Can you put the numbers 1 to 8 into the circles so that the four calculations are correct?
problem
Favourite
Light the lights again
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Each light in this interactivity turns on according to a rule. What happens when you enter different numbers? Can you find the smallest number that lights up all four lights?
problem
Favourite
Prison cells
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
There are 78 prisoners in a square cell block of twelve cells. The
clever prison warder arranged them so there were 25 along each wall
of the prison block. How did he do it?
problem
Favourite
Two primes make one square
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Can you make square numbers by adding two prime numbers together?
problem
Tea cups
Age
7 to 14
Challenge level
Place the 16 different combinations of cup/saucer in this 4 by 4 arrangement so that no row or column contains more than one cup or saucer of the same colour.
problem
Favourite
Counting cards
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
A magician took a suit of thirteen cards and held them in his hand
face down. Every card he revealed had the same value as the one he
had just finished spelling. How did this work?
problem
Favourite
Curious number
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Can you order the digits from 1-3 to make a number which is divisible by 3 so when the last digit is removed it becomes a 2-figure number divisible by 2, and so on?
problem
Favourite
Make 37
Age
5 to 11
Challenge level
Four bags contain a large number of 1s, 3s, 5s and 7s. Can you pick any ten numbers from the bags so that their total is 37?
problem
Favourite
First connect three
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Add or subtract the two numbers on the spinners and try to complete a row of three. Are there some numbers that are good to aim for?