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Constant Counting

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level Yellow star
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Skip counting or counting by the same number each time is ways to describe constant counting. This is what happens when you recite the multiplication tables. Work partners Joanne and Holly, and Steve and Matt from Moorefield Junior School, found that to reach 24 they could count by skipping 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, 6s, 8s, 12s or 24s to reach 24, the target number. 24 is an answer in each one of those multiplication tables.

David, who is studying at De Aston School, gives us this example:

24 = 1 x 24
24 = 2 x 12
24 = 3 x 8
24 = 4 x 6

Several people did not mention counting by one or by two; perhaps they thought that was too obvious. Others found some of the different ways to skip count to reach 24 but did not list all of the possible ways.


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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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