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Chain of Changes

Age 5 to 7
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow star
Primary curriculum
  • Problem
  • Getting Started
  • Teachers' Resources

Here is a set of shapes:

Set of Shapes: circles, squares, oblongs and triangles of colours red yellow and blue.

What do you see?
What do you notice?

If possible, talk to somone else about your noticings.

In this problem, we are going to arrange shapes in a line, in a particular order.
You may like to print and cut out a set of shapes from this sheet, or you could try out your ideas using the interactivity below.

Your challenge, as you add a shape to your line, is to change first colour, then shape, then colour again, then shape and so on. (Or first shape then colour...)

For example, if you put the yellow triangle after the blue one and so change the colour, next you must put another yellow piece and so change the shape.

To help you get the idea, below there are two pictures. Each picture shows the first four shapes of a sequence. 
Which sequence follows the rule and which does not? How do you know?

Sequence 1: ...
Sequence 2: ...

Have a go at creating your own sequence of shapes which follows the rule of changing first colour, then shape, then colour... (Or first shape, then colour...)
How many shapes did you use?
Have another go. How many shapes did you use this time?
Is it possible to use more shapes, still following this pattern?
Can you use all the shapes in this way? Why or why not?

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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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