Counter Ideas

Here are some ideas to try in the classroom for using counters to investigate number patterns.
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
filled star empty star empty star
Exploring and noticing Working systematically Conjecturing and generalising Visualising and representing Reasoning, convincing and proving
Being curious Being resourceful Being resilient Being collaborative


Here are some ideas for using counters to investigate number patterns.

Counter Ideas
Make different square arrays using nine counters.

Discuss the patterns formed.

[hint: 1,3,5/ 1,2,3,2,1/ 4,4,1 etc]

What would a 2,2,2,2,1 look like?

Continue the patterns for 16 counters in 4 by 4 arrays.

What is noticed now?

Can anyone explain the patterns seen?

Can anyone devise a different pattern? What about 25 counters in 5 by 5 arrays? Or 36 counters in 6 by 6 arrays?