Introducing algebra

Think of a number and follow my instructions. Tell me your answer, and I'll tell you what you started with! Can you explain how I know?

Create some shapes by combining two or more rectangles. What can you say about the areas and perimeters of the shapes you can make?

These eleven shapes each stand for a different number. Can you use the multiplication sums to work out what they are?

Think of two whole numbers under 10, and follow the steps. I can work out both your numbers very quickly. How?