It's time to get magical

Stage 2 – a thinking mathematically context for practise focused on using additive strategies and reasoning.

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 
  • MA2-AR-01

Collect resources

You will need:

Instructions

  • Choose any number on the grid.
  • Write it down.
  • Write down a second number… BUT… it has to be a different row and different column to your first number.
  • Record a third number… it has to be a different row and different column to your first two numbers.
  • Write down a fourth number… it has to be a different row and different column to your first three numbers.

    Check out my magic

    I know that your sum is....34!

    Are you asking "How did you do that?"

    Investigating the magic

    We found out that:

    • 34 = 1 + 6 + 11 + 16; and
    • 34 = 13 + 12 + 6 + 3

    Now we wonder... is the sum always 34?

    On the left, a grid. 4 across, 4 down. Numbers in each square read 1 to 16. 1, 6, 11 and 16 are highlighted pink. On the right, the same grid. numbers 3, 6, 12 and 13 are highlighted orange. On the left, a grid. 4 across, 4 down. Numbers in each square read 1 to 16. 1, 6, 11 and 16 are highlighted pink. On the right, the same grid. numbers 3, 6, 12 and 13 are highlighted orange.

    Instructions

    Mathematicians think logically when solving problems. You could use this by testing out a number of different options, for example, you could test what the sum is when you combine these quantities:

    • 1, 6, 11, 16
    • 1, 6, 12, 15
    • 1, 7, 10, 16
    • 1, 7, 12, 14
    • 1, 8, 10, 15
    • 1, 8, 11, 14

    Share/Submit

    Share your work with your class on your digital platform. You may like to:​

    • share your discoveries
    • write comments​
    • share pictures of your work​
    • comment on the work of others.

    Category:

    • Additive relations
    • Mathematics (2022)
    • Stage 2

    Business Unit:

    • Curriculum and Reform
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