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Problem solving activities

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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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Big magic squares

Level Three
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Solve 3-digit addition problems.
  • Know the idea of, and be able to construct, magic squares.
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Invent a problem

Level Three
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Use their mathematical knowledge to invent problems.
  • Solve other students’ problems.
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Make 4.253

Level Three
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
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$3 and $5 stamps

Level Three
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Describe what it means for a sequence to carry on infinitely.
  • Look for patterns in combinations of numbers.
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Lollies, lollies, lollies

Level Three
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Solve problems that involve multiplication and division
  • Use equations to express a problem
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The rock pool

Level Three
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Find strategies for investigating number problems.
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Gulls

Level Three
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Select the appropriate number operation(s) to solve problems.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies (act it out, draw a picture, organised list).
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Even more pizza and things

Level Three
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Solve problems involving fractions.
  • Devise and use problem solving strategies (draw a picture, use equipment, guess and check, be systematic, think).
  • Interpret information and results in context.
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Darts

Level Three
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Apply the number operations to single digit numbers.
  • Use a problem solving strategy to identify all the possible outcomes.
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Super darts

Level Two
Number and Algebra
Problem solving activities
This problem solving activity has a number focus.
  • Apply number operations in combination to single digit numbers.
  • Work systematically to find the possible outcomes.