3 tens in a line
A context for practise thinking mathematically resource focused on developing flexible strategies, reasoning and relationships to benchmarks (for example to fives or tens).
Syllabus
Syllabus outcomes and content descriptors from Mathematics K–10 Syllabus (2022) © NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) for and on behalf of the Crown in right of the State of New South Wales, 2024.
Outcomes
- MAO-WM-01
- MAE-RWN-01
- MAE-RWN-02
- MAE-CSQ-01
- MAE-CSQ-02
- MAO-WM-01
- MA1-CSQ-01
Collect resources
You will need:
- 2 different coloured markers
- something to write on
- a zero–9 dice, spinner or A–9 playing cards.
Watch
Watch 3 tens in a line video (2:25) to learn how to play.
Michelle
All right, welcome back mathematicians and hello Barbara!
Barbara
Hello Michelle!
Michelle
How are you today?
Barbara
I'm great.
I'm ready to party mathematically. Are you?
Michelle
Yeah, yeah, we are gonna party mathematically with a new game. And it's a lot like noughts and crosses.
[Presenter draws 2 vertical lines and 2 intersecting horizonal lines to make a noughts and crosses board with 9 boxes].
Barbara
It looks like noughts and crosses.
Michelle
Where we're looking for three in a row, diagonally or vertically or horizontally.
Barbara
Okay.
Michelle
But to get the three in a row we need combinations of ten in our boxes.
Barbara
Okay.
Michelle
So, two numbers that combine to make ten.
Barbara
Okay.
Michelle
Like a pattern. So, let's just start, you roll the dice.
[Presenter rolls a 9-sided dice.]
Okay so 6.
So, you can put that anywhere in the game board to start with because nothing's used.
Barbara
Okay.
[Presenter writes the numeral 6 in the centre box.]
Michelle
[Presenter rolls the dice again.]
And I got a 9 and so I can't put it here [indicates the centre box] because 6 and 9 would be more than 10, but if I had a 4 I could put it there. I'm gonna put the 9 here.
[Presenter writes the numeral 9 in the bottom middle box.]
Barbara
[Presenter rolls the dice again.]
Okay so 3, I might put it there.
[Presenter writes the numeral 3 in the box in the middle of the right column.]
Michelle
[Presenter rolls the dice again.]
Oh, and so the 4 I can join there to make a 10.
[Dice lands on 4. In centre box next to number 6 the presenter writes + 4 which indicates that box makes 10.]
Barbara
Okay. Does that mean that I can't use it?
Michelle
No, that means that square is now ready to be used.
Barbara
Oh, by anybody?
Michelle
Anybody.
Barbara
Oh great, okay.
Michelle
Your go.
Barbara
[Presenter rolls the dice again.]
Okay 3.
[Presenter writes the numeral 3 in the top left hand corner box.]
Michelle
[Presenter rolls the dice again.]
Okay, oh 7! So, I could put the seven here [indicates top left hand corner box] or I could put the seven here [middle right-hand box]. I might put it here [top left hand corner box]. Cause it rolled in that square.
[Presenter writes + 7 next to the existing written 3.]
Barbara
[Presenter rolls the dice again.]
Hey 5, I think that needs a new square, doesn't it?
[Presenter writes the numeral 5 in the top right-hand box.]
Michelle
[Presenter rolls the dice again.]
Yes. Okay and a 9.
[Presenter writes the numeral 9 in the right-hand box.]
Your go.
Barbara
[Presenter rolls the dice again.]
And a six.
[Presenter writes the numeral 6 in top middle square]
Michelle
If someone rolls a one now, they win.
Barbara
Oh okay.
Michelle
[Presenter rolls the dice again.]
Oh yes!
[Number one is rolled on the dice.]
Nine plus one.
[Presenter writes + 1 in bottom right-hand box next to the existing 9.]
Barbara
Are you sure you don't want to put it there?
[Presenter indicates middle bottom box which also has a 9 written in it.]
Michelle
No, I'm sure because, dee dee dee der! Three in a row!
[Presenter indicates three filled boxes with numbers that make 10 on a diagonal].
Barbara
You win. You win. Congratulations.
Michelle
Thank you very much!
So, if you roll a zero, you miss a turn.
Barbara
Okay.
Michelle
And if you say, um, we rolled and there was nowhere to put the numbers you also miss a turn.
Barbara
Oh okay.
Michelle
But that's how you play.
Barbara
That's a really good game.
Michelle
A good game!
Barbara
And you can play it everywhere.
Michelle
Everywhere. Over to you mathematicians to enjoy!
[End of transcript]
Instructions
- Draw a 3 x 3 grid as a game board (like a noughts and crosses game board)
- Players take turns to roll the dice and write the number in one of their boxes
- The goal is to be able to write 2 numbers in each box that combine to make 10
- Players continue taking turns until a player has been the first to make 3 tens in a line