Skip over navigation
Cambridge University Faculty of Mathematics NRich logo
menu search
  • Teachers expand_more
    • Early years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
    • Events
    • Professional development
  • Students expand_more
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Parents expand_more
    • Early Years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Problem-Solving Schools
  • About NRICH expand_more
    • About us
    • Impact stories
    • Support us
    • Our funders
    • Contact us
  • search

Or search by topic

Number and algebra

  • The Number System and Place Value
  • Calculations and Numerical Methods
  • Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion
  • Properties of Numbers
  • Patterns, Sequences and Structure
  • Algebraic expressions, equations and formulae
  • Coordinates, Functions and Graphs

Geometry and measure

  • Angles, Polygons, and Geometrical Proof
  • 3D Geometry, Shape and Space
  • Measuring and calculating with units
  • Transformations and constructions
  • Pythagoras and Trigonometry
  • Vectors and Matrices

Probability and statistics

  • Handling, Processing and Representing Data
  • Probability

Working mathematically

  • Thinking mathematically
  • Developing positive attitudes
  • Cross-curricular contexts

Advanced mathematics

  • Decision Mathematics and Combinatorics
  • Advanced Probability and Statistics
  • Mechanics
  • Calculus

For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Being Collaborative - Upper Primary Students

Being Collaborative - Upper Primary is part of our Being a Good Thinker - Upper Primary collection.

Good thinkers collaborate and communicate. They work productively with other people, valuing different points of view. They are willing to change their mind when presented with convincing arguments. They know when to seek help, when to support others, when to speak up and when to compromise.

How can you become better at collaborating mathematically?

These problems are ideal to work on with others. Work with a partner or in a small group and share your ideas with others. Two heads can be better than one!

You can browse through the Number, Measures, Geometry or Statistics collections, or scroll down to see the full set of problems below.
Age 7 to 11

Being Collaborative - Upper Primary Number

Number problems for you to work on with others.

Age 7 to 11

Being Collaborative - Upper Primary Measures

Measure problems for you to work on with others.

Age 7 to 11

Being Collaborative - Upper Primary Geometry

Geometry problems for you to work on with others.

Age 7 to 11

Being Collaborative - Upper Primary Statistics

Statistics problems for you to work on with others.

Snail One Hundred

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level Yellow star

In this game, you throw a dice and move counters along the snail's body and in a spiral around the snail's shell. It is about understanding tens and ones.

En-counters

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level Yellow star

This task requires learners to explain and help others, asking and answering questions.

Nim-7

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

Can you work out how to win this game of Nim? Does it matter if you go first or second?

Totality

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

This is an adding game for two players. Can you be the first to reach the target?

Dotty Six

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

Dotty Six is a simple dice game that you can adapt in many ways.

Fraction Match

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

A task which depends on members of the group noticing the needs of others and responding.

Number Match

Age 5 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

A task which depends on members of the group noticing the needs of others and responding.

Dicey Perimeter, Dicey Area

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

In this game for two players, you throw two dice and find the product. How many shapes can you draw on the grid which have that area or perimeter?

Guess the Dominoes

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

This task depends on learners sharing reasoning, listening to opinions, reflecting and pulling ideas together.

Probably...

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

You'll need to work in a group for this problem. The idea is to decide, as a group, whether you agree or disagree with each statement.

The Car That Passes

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

What statements can you make about the car that passes the school gates at 11am on Monday? How will you come up with statements and test your ideas?

Counters in the Middle

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

This task depends on groups working collaboratively, discussing and reasoning to agree a final product.

First Connect Three

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star

Add or subtract the two numbers on the spinners and try to complete a row of three. Are there some numbers that are good to aim for?

Arranging Counters

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

A task which depends on members of the group working collaboratively to reach a single goal.

Arranging Cubes

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

A task which depends on members of the group working collaboratively to reach a single goal.

Stringy Quads

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

This practical problem challenges you to make quadrilaterals with a loop of string. You'll need some friends to help!

Quad Match

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

A task which depends on members of the group noticing the needs of others and responding.

Dice in a Corner

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star

How could you arrange at least two dice in a stack so that the total of the visible spots is 18?

Estimating Angles

Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow star

How good are you at estimating angles?

Stick Images

Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow star

This task requires learners to explain and help others, asking and answering questions.

What Shape?

Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow star

This task develops spatial reasoning skills. By framing and asking questions a member of the team has to find out what mathematical object they have chosen.

Castles in the Middle

Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

This task depends on groups working collaboratively, discussing and reasoning to agree a final product.

Got It

Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

A game for two people, or play online. Given a target number, say 23, and a range of numbers to choose from, say 1-4, players take it in turns to add to the running total to hit their target.

Making Rectangles

Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

A task which depends on members of the group noticing the needs of others and responding.

Doughnut Percents

Age 7 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star

A task involving the equivalence between fractions, percentages and decimals which depends on members of the group noticing the needs of others and responding.

Factors and Multiples Game

Age 7 to 16
Challenge Level Yellow star

A game in which players take it in turns to choose a number. Can you block your opponent?

Which Solid?

Age 7 to 16
Challenge Level Yellow star

This task develops spatial reasoning skills. By framing and asking questions a member of the team has to find out what mathematical object they have chosen.

Coordinate Designs

Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level Yellow star

This task requires learners to explain and help others, asking and answering questions.

You may also like

Being Curious - Primary All Resources

Resources for primary children to help them to develop their curiosity.

Being Collaborative - Primary All Resources

Resources to help primary children to be more collaborative.

Being Resourceful - Primary All Resources

Resources to help primary children to be more thoughtful.

  • Tech help
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sign up to our newsletter
  • Twitter X logo

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.

University of Cambridge logo NRICH logo