Exploring and noticing

problem
Magazines

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

Let's suppose that you are going to have a magazine which has 16 pages of A5 size. Can you find some different ways to make these pages? Investigate the pattern for each if you number the pages.
problem
Number squares

Age

5 to 11

Challenge level

Start with four numbers at the corners of a square and put the total of two corners in the middle of that side. Keep going... Can you estimate what the size of the last four numbers will be?
problem
Cubes

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

How many faces can you see when you arrange these three cubes in different ways?
problem
Homes

Age

5 to 7

Challenge level

Six new homes are being built! They can be detached, semi-detached or terraced houses. How many different combinations of these can you find?
problem
Tiles on a patio

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

How many ways can you find of tiling the square patio, using square tiles of different sizes?
problem
Chocolate

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

There are three tables in a room with blocks of chocolate on each. Where would be the best place for each child in the class to sit if they came in one at a time?
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
Consecutive numbers

Age

7 to 14

Challenge level

An investigation involving adding and subtracting sets of consecutive numbers. Lots to find out, lots to explore.
article
Learning mathematics through games series: 4. From strategy games

Basic strategy games are particularly suitable as starting points for investigations. Players instinctively try to discover a winning strategy, and usually the best way to do this is to analyse the outcomes of series of 'moves'. With a little encouragement from the teacher, a mathematical investigation is born.
game
Favourite

Dicey operations in line

Age

7 to 11

Challenge level

In these addition, subtraction, multiplication and division games, you'll need to think strategically to get closest to the target.