Cherry Buns

This problem is a good example of the use of a "variable" to represent an unknown quantity so provides useful material when introducing algebra. It also involves working out proportions of quantities so can be used while doing work on ratio and proportion. "Cooking mathematics" links well to work on proportionality.

You could start by looking at the problem as given with the whole group. Using some balances to demonstrate how the weight of the eggs can be used as a measure out the other ingredients might help some of the class to understand the setting better.

Alternatively, you could begin by getting the class to think about how they could make the cakes according to the recipe. No weighing, just balancing, required. However, if you want to make the finished result look like the illustration you will need to reserve six cherries - twelve halves - to put on top of the cakes.

After an introduction to the problem, learners could work in pairs so that they are able to talk through their ideas with a partner.

At the end of the lesson you could discuss the different methods by which the answer was found. Did some learners list the ingredients as "egg weights" or find the total weight of the mixture first? Did some pairs solve the problem by using trial and improvement? If you are using the problem to introduce, or extend learners' understanding of unknowns, it might be an appropriate time to use a letter or other symbol to represent the weight of an egg.

How can you find out how much mixture there is altogether?

How many "egg weights" were used of each of the ingredients?

How many "egg weights" were used in the recipe?

How can you find out how much mixture there was?

How can you find out how much of each ingredient there was?

Learners could try Orange Drink , or Buckets of Thinking or make up some similar problems for friends to try.