This problem solving activity has an algebra focus.
John draws three shapes and then a sixth one. You can see them in the picture. Can he continue the pattern so that the twelfth shape is a circle?
Can the twelfth shape be a square? Can it be a triangle?
This problem explores patterns with some common plane shapes.
Students are encouraged to create and describe their own patterns, and to interpret each other's patterns.
You could also use this problem as an opportunity to introduce and/or revise 2D shape names. Replace the shapes by any other ones, in any other order, that you wish the children to explore.
John draws three shapes and then a sixth one. You can see them in the picture. Can he continue the pattern so that the twelfth shape is a circle?
Can the twelfth shape be a square? Can it be a triangle?
Make up their own shape pattern problem for others to solve. The solutions will be dependent on the problems posed.
Replace the shapes by any other ones, in any other order, that you wish the children to explore.
Three possible answers are:
The original question can be answered by:
square, triangle, circle, square, triangle, circle, square, triangle, circle, square, triangle, circle.
For the square variation you could have:
square, triangle, circle, square, triangle, circle, circle, triangle, square, circle, triangle, square.
For the triangle variation you could have:
square, triangle, circle, square, triangle, circle, square, triangle, square, circle, square, triangle (square, circle).
Consider other variations that the students may suggest.
Printed from https://meaningfulmaths.nt.edu.au/mmws/nz/resource/and-twelfth-one at 8:54pm on the 26th February 2024