Snails' trails
Alice and Brian are snails who live on a wall and can only travel
along the cracks. Alice wants to go to see Brian. How far is the
shortest route along the cracks? Is there more than one way to go?
Age
7 to 11
Challenge level
Problem
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Alice and Brian are snails. They live on a wall. Alice at A and Brian at B. They can only travel along the cement cracks. The bricks are too rough for them.
Alice wants to visit Brian.
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How far is the shortest route along the cracks?
Is there more than one way to go?
What is the longest route without going along any crack twice?
Getting Started
Are your routes all different from each other? How do you know?
How will you record your routes?
How will you record your routes?
Student Solutions
Teachers' Resources
Snails' Trails
Image
Image
Alice and Brian are snails. They live on a wall. Alice at A and Brian at B. They can only travel along the cement cracks. The bricks are too rough for them.
Alice wants to visit Brian.
Image
How far is the shortest route along the cracks?
Is there more than one way to go?
What is the longest route without going along any crack twice?
Why do this problem?
This problem is a simple example for pupils to explore routes. It allows pupils to develop persistence in trying to find more and more routes.
Key questions
Tell me why you chose that way.
Can you find another route?
Are your routes all different from each other? How do you know?
How will you record your routes?
Possible extension
Learners could try Watch your Feet.
Possible support
Some younger pupils will appreciate doing this activity "live" on a large scale with the children acting as the snail and the possible paths drawn on the ground.