Mathdoku

Why do this problem?

Mathdoku grids are a motivating context for learners to develop fluency with number bonds, factors and multiples, as well as providing an opportunity for learners to reason mathematically. Having experience of creating chains of reasoning provides an excellent basis on which to create proofs.

Possible approach

This problem featured in an NRICH Primary webinar in January 2022.

Display the interactivity and, without saying much else, invite learners to consider what they notice and what questions they would like to ask. Give them time to think on their own, then talk to a partner, before drawing everyone together. Facilititate a whole group discussion, using the points raised to explain how the Mathdoku grid works. It would be useful to introduce the vocabulary of 'cages' and squares.

Ask for suggestions about where we might start. Which square might we fill in first? (There are two cages which are each single cells - top right and bottom right - so they could be completed straightaway in either order.) Invite learners to suggest which square we might fill in now. At this point, emphasise that you are particularly interested in their reasoning. How do they know that the number they are offering must go in that square? Can they convince the rest of the class and you?

You may wish to demonstrate how to seek help from the interactivity if learners are not sure which square is possible. (Clicking on 'Show me a square I can solve' will result in a question mark appearing in a square which is solvable. Clicking on 'Give me a hint about this square', will suggest how you might go about working out the number in that square.)

You can continue in this way with the whole group for as long as you feel is appropriate. Once everyone has got the idea, you can ask learners to complete the grid in pairs, either using the interactivity on a tablet or computer, or using a printed copy (this sheet contains three different grids, corresponding to the three grids which are rated as 'difficulty level 1' in the interactivity). As they work, listen out for examples of children's watertight reasoning, which could be shared with the whole class in the plenary.

You may wish to display a new grid in the plenary for the class to solve together, so they have chance to practise creating chains of reasoning using their knowledge of number and calculation.

Key questions

What are the possible options for this square? How do you know?
Is there any other information in the grid that could help us narrow down the possibilities?
Can you convince me/someone else that this number must go in this square?

Possible support

The interactivity has built-in hints which will help all learners access this challenge. Many children will find it useful to have paper and pencil to hand to jot down possibilities for the square they are working on (this could be a print-out of the grid, but could simply be plain paper). This feature also contains 3 by 3 Mathdokus, which some learners might find useful to try before the 4 by 4 grids.

Possible extension

Once learners have tried all the grids in the interactivity (see the Settings menu), or on paper (Mathdoku2.pdf and Mathdoku3.pdf), you could challenge them to create their own Mathdoku in pairs. Their grid must have a unique solution and they can give it to another pair to solve.

Some of the Mathdokus in this feature offer further challenge due to their increased grid size.

Learners may also like to have a go at one of NRICH's Sudokus, which contain the numbers 1-9 in each row, column and three by three grid (currently they are paper based only). A First Product Sudoku would be a good starting point.