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Children at Large
Age 11 to 14
Challenge Level 
Why do this problem?
This problem can be solved by either trial and improvement or, more formally, by making a set of two simultaneous equations. For this reason, it could be used as a method of introducing or revising simultaneous equations.Key questions
How are you going to work on this? Are you going to use trial
and improvement or try to make a set of simultaneous
equations?
Would a number line for the children's ages help you?
Would it be useful to write the initial information as
simultaneous equations?
Can you get two equations involving just two of the
unknowns?
Whose ages are even and whose odd?
What combinations are possible for Tom's and Sally's
ages?
Why not try a number or Tom's age and see how it works
out?
Possible extension
Learners could go on to a similar problem such as Thasan's Dream.Possible support
Suggest jotting down the useful information a number line for the children's ages.You may also like
Not a Polite Question
When asked how old she was, the teacher replied: My age in years is not prime but odd and when reversed and added to my age you have a perfect square...
