Addition and subtraction

  • problem

    Pairs of numbers

    Age
    5 to 7
    Challenge level
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    If you have ten counters numbered 1 to 10, how many can you put into pairs that add to 10? Which ones do you have to leave out? Why?

  • Sitting round the party tables
    problem

    Sitting round the party tables

    Age
    5 to 11
    Challenge level
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    Sweets are given out to party-goers in a particular way. Investigate the total number of sweets received by people sitting in different positions.

  • Rolling Along the Trail
    problem

    Rolling along the trail

    Age
    11 to 14
    Challenge level
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    What could be the scores from five throws of this dice?
  • No Square Sums
    problem

    No square sums

    Age
    14 to 16
    Challenge level
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    How many numbers do you need to remove to avoid making a perfect square?
  • Follow the numbers
    problem

    Follow the numbers

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
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    What happens when you add the digits of a number then multiply the result by 2 and you keep doing this? You could try for different numbers and different rules.

  • Planning a School Trip
    problem

    Planning a school trip

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
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    You are organising a school trip and you need to write a letter to parents to let them know about the day. Use the cards to gather all the information you need.

  • Sorting the Numbers
    problem

    Sorting the numbers

    Age
    5 to 11
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star
    Complete these two jigsaws then put one on top of the other. What happens when you add the 'touching' numbers? What happens when you change the position of the jigsaws?
  • How do you do it?
    problem

    How do you do it?

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
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    This group activity will encourage you to share calculation strategies and to think about which strategy might be the most efficient.

  • Even and odd
    problem

    Even and odd

    Age
    5 to 7
    Challenge level
    filled star empty star empty star

    This activity is best done with a whole class or in a large group. Can you match the cards? What happens when you add pairs of the numbers together?

  • Sort them out (2)
    problem

    Sort them out (2)

    Age
    7 to 11
    Challenge level
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    Can you each work out the number on your card? What do you notice? How could you sort the cards?