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Problem solving activities

The Ministry is migrating nzmaths content to Tāhurangi.           
Relevant and up-to-date teaching resources are being moved to Tāhūrangi (tahurangi.education.govt.nz). 
When all identified resources have been successfully moved, this website will close. We expect this to be in June 2024. 
e-ako maths, e-ako Pāngarau, and e-ako PLD 360 will continue to be available. 

For more information visit https://tahurangi.education.govt.nz/updates-to-nzmaths

Problems for students to solve, accompanied by a suggested teaching sequence, extensions to the problem, and the problem’s solution.

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Weights

Level Two
Integrated
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a measurement focus.
  • Measure using grams.
  • Apply addition to a measurement problem.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (be systematic, use equipment).
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PSTV

Level One
Integrated
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a measurement focus.
  • Read time in half-hours.
  • State that there are 2 half-hours in an hour.
  • Count in 2s to 8.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically.
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Visiting Grandma

Level One
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a measurement focus.
  • Use a calendar to tell days of the week.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically.
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Trains

Level One
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a measurement focus.
  • Compare two lengths (either directly or by calculation).
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically.
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Julie's wheels

Level Six
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Apply Pythagoras’ theorem to solve a problem.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (be systematic, think).
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Hinea's watch's hands

Level Six
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Find an angle greater than 360 degrees that relates to a given position.
  • Solve a linear equation.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (be systematic, draw a diagram, guess and check, use algebra).
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Hinea's other watch

Level Six
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
  • Solve problems using the relationships between angles in a circle.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (be systematic, guess and check, think, use algebra).
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Sol's serviettes

Level Five
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Use the areas of triangles and squares to find unknown lengths.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (be systematic, draw a diagram).
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Vince's problem

Level Five
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Find the centre of a circle using common material or mathematical construction tools.
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Rings and diamonds

Level Five
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Use Pythagoras’ theorem to find the area of a rhombus.
  • Use rulers and compasses to make a construction requiring perpendicular bisectors.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (be systematic, draw diagram).