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  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Multilink Cubes

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star
  • Problem
  • Student Solutions
  • Teachers' Resources

Take 36 cubes.

Challenge 1

How many different blocks can you make? For example 6 by 6 by 1, or 3 by 6 by 2.

Just how many different ones can you find?

Challenge 2

Try growing different pyramids of cubes which in turn generate different sequences of numbers. Look at the pictures below this table and see if you can work out how the table has been filled in.
  1 2 3
       
A 1 3 5
       
B 1 4 10
       
C 1 5 14
  • Can you continue the table?
  • What patterns do you notice?
  • Can you explain why these patterns occur?

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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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