Shape Your Proof

In this feature for Primary students, we offer geometrical tasks which give you the chance to notice patterns and make conjectures. Can you create a mathematical argument that would convince a mathematician that your conjecture is always true?

You may also like to take a look at our I Like to Prove It! feature which gives you tasks for a similar purpose but in the context of number.

problem

Counting stick conjectures

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

How many rectangles can you see? Are they all the same size? Can you predict how many rectangles there will be in counting sticks of different lengths?

problem

Break it up!

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

In how many different ways can you break up a stick of seven interlocking cubes? Now try with a stick of eight cubes and a stick of six cubes. What do you notice?