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  • Early Years Foundation Stage

A Romantic Riddle

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
  • Problem
  • Student Solutions
  • Teachers' Resources

Why do this problem?

This activity is good for helping pupils to work and talk together. It will encourage them to 'play' with $25$ objects and give reasons for choices.

Possible approach

After saying the riddle orally, you may wish to display it on a screen or have it written on a board so everyone can see. Allow pupils to choose whatever resources they think they'll need to try to find a solution and encourage discussion.

Key questions

Tell me about your lines.

Possible extension

Children could find a variety of answers and create new problems that are similar for others to do.

Possible support

Any help that will enable the pupil to talk openly would be good.


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The NRICH Project aims to enrich the mathematical experiences of all learners. To support this aim, members of the NRICH team work in a wide range of capacities, including providing professional development for teachers wishing to embed rich mathematical tasks into everyday classroom practice.

NRICH is part of the family of activities in the Millennium Mathematics Project.

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