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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. 
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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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Copycats

Level Three
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Tessellate using squares and triangles.
  • Describe the properties of tessellating shapes.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (guess and check, make a drawing, use equipment).
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The treasure map

Level Three
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Follow instructions using grid and compass references on a map.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (guess and check, make a drawing, use equipment).
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Grace's kitchen floor

Level Three
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Create a pattern that involves reflection and rotation.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (guess and check, make a drawing, use equipment).
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Odd Thing Out

Level Two
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • List a number of properties that distinguish the 3-dimensional solids of the problem.
  • Devise and use Problem Solving Strategies to explore situations mathematically, in particular guess and check, draw a picture, and use equipment.
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Friezes

Level Two
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Create a repeating pattern using geometric transformations (rotations, reflections, translations).
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Lots of squares

Level Two
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Describe the properties of a square.
  • Work systematically when problem solving.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies (act it out, use equipment, draw a picture).
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Blindfolds

Level One
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Follow instructions using distance, direction and turn.
  • Explore basic attributes of simple 2D shapes.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (make a drawing, use equipment, act it out).
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Odd one out

Level One
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • List a number of properties that distinguish squares from circles from cubes from pentagons.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (make a drawing, use equipment).
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Mosaic puzzles

Level One
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Join shapes together to form other shapes.
  • Identify and describe shapes.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (guess and check).
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The folding problem

Level One
Geometry and Measurement
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a geometry focus.
  • Create squares, triangles and oblongs by folding paper.
  • Identify and describe shapes.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (guess and check).