1. Home

Problem solving activities

Thanks for visiting NZMaths.
We are preparing to close this site by the end of August 2024. Maths content is still being migrated onto Tāhūrangi, and we will be progressively making enhancements to Tāhūrangi to improve the findability and presentation of content.
 

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.

Resource logo

Create A Question

Level Four
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
  • Use their mathematical knowledge to invent problems.
  • Solve other students' problems.
Resource logo

Go Negative

Level Four
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Perform calculations with negative fractions.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies mathematically (e.g. be systematic, draw a picture).
Resource logo

The clumsy tiler B

Level Four
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Handle smaller and smaller fractions.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies to explore situations mathematically (make a drawing, use equipment).
Resource logo

Eights

Level Four
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Multiply large numbers by 8.
  • Find and describe patterns in numbers.
Resource logo

Fuel Saving

Level Four
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Find a percentage of a quantity.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies (be systematic, work logically).
Resource logo

Free Cell

Level Four
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Solve problems involving fractions and percentages.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies (guess and check, be systematic, look for a pattern, make a table).
Resource logo

How High?

Level Four
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Explain a meaning of a million.
  • Make sensible estimates of numbers using powers of 10 up to a million.
  • Multiply and divide with numbers up to a million (using a calculator).
Resource logo

Tennis and golf players

Level Four
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Find a percentage of a given quantity.
  • Perform calculations using basic percentages.
  • Find lowest common multiples (extension).
  • Use Venn diagrams to represent intersecting sets.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies (draw a diagram).
Resource logo

Triangle sums

Level Three
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Think logically about the sums of single digit numbers.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies (guess, and check work systematically).
Resource logo

Decimal magic squares

Level Three
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Use addition with decimals.
  • Know the idea of, and be able to construct, magic squares.