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The Deca Tree

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star
Primary curriculum
  • Problem
  • Getting Started
  • Student Solutions
  • Teachers' Resources

The Deca Tree printable sheet

In the forest there is a Deca Tree.
A Deca Tree has 10 trunks,

and on each trunk there are 10 branches,

and on each branch there are 10 twigs,

and on each twig there are 10 leaves:

One day a woodcutter came along and cut down one trunk from the tree.
Then he cut off one branch from another trunk of the tree.
Then he cut off one twig from another branch.
Finally he pulled one leaf from another twig.

How many leaves were left on the tree then?
How did you work out the solution?

Click here for a poster of this problem.

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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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