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Is a Square a Rectangle?
Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level 
Why do this problem?
The lead question for this problem, "How many rectangles can
you find in this shape?" is an ideal way to introduce children to
consider the properties of rectangles. The aim is not to simply
count the number of rectangles but to discuss what a rectangle
is.
The problem also looks at
whether the rectangles are similar.
For more discussion on
the properties of rectangles, see this sheet.
Key questions
Can you tell me what a
rectangle is?
Did you know that a
square is a special sort of rectangle? What is the difference
between a square and a rectangle?
How many rectangles did
you find in the shape? Which ones are the same and which ones are
different?
How many squares did you
find?
Possible extension
Learners who found this very easy could try this problem.Possible support
Suggest using coloured pencils to help in counting the different rectangles.You may also like
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