Skip over navigation
Cambridge University Faculty of Mathematics NRich logo
menu search
  • Teachers expand_more
    • Early years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
    • Events
    • Professional development
  • Students expand_more
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Parents expand_more
    • Early Years
    • Primary
    • Secondary
    • Post-16
  • Problem-Solving Schools
  • About NRICH expand_more
    • About us
    • Impact stories
    • Support us
    • Our funders
    • Contact us
  • search

Or search by topic

Number and algebra

  • The Number System and Place Value
  • Calculations and Numerical Methods
  • Fractions, Decimals, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion
  • Properties of Numbers
  • Patterns, Sequences and Structure
  • Algebraic expressions, equations and formulae
  • Coordinates, Functions and Graphs

Geometry and measure

  • Angles, Polygons, and Geometrical Proof
  • 3D Geometry, Shape and Space
  • Measuring and calculating with units
  • Transformations and constructions
  • Pythagoras and Trigonometry
  • Vectors and Matrices

Probability and statistics

  • Handling, Processing and Representing Data
  • Probability

Working mathematically

  • Thinking mathematically
  • Developing positive attitudes
  • Cross-curricular contexts

Advanced mathematics

  • Decision Mathematics and Combinatorics
  • Advanced Probability and Statistics
  • Mechanics
  • Calculus

For younger learners

  • Early Years Foundation Stage

Follow the Numbers

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow star
Primary curriculum
  • Problem
  • Getting Started
  • Student Solutions
  • Teachers' Resources

From Year $4$ at Queen Edith School, Cambridge we had the following rather good idea sent in.


After we had got the idea of following a number on its journey, we split up the work of checking out lots of numbers. Some of us began with numbers in the $30$s, some with numbers in the $40$s, and so on.
We found that all the numbers we tried ended up on one of three journeys:
$2, 4, 8, 16, 14, 10, 2, 4, 8,$ ... which we called the "red" journey
$6, 12, 6, 12,$ ... which we called the "green" journey
$18, 18, 18,$ ... which we called the "blue" journey 
Next, we used a $100$ square on the Smartboard, and coloured the numbers to match their journeys. After we had coloured a few of the numbers, some of us spotted patterns beginning to show, like the blue diagonal from $81$ up to $9$. We predicted that other numbers on the diagonal would also be blue and checked them out. We also saw green squares along diagonals and made more predictions.
 100 sq

Finally, we made a display using the 100 square and some of our work to challenge other children to predict the journeys for some of the squares we had not coloured.
Can you predict a journey and then check if you were right?
 

From Krystof in  Prague and  Matthew from Hamworthy Middle School we had had similar results.  From Karin in West Acton in London we had a clever further idea sent in.


  My rule for "Follow the Numbers" is to work out the difference between the $2$ digits and add $5$ to the difference.
Here is some of my "Follow the Numbers"
Starting number:$24      24,07,12,06,11,05,10,06...$
Starting number:$39      39,11,05,10,06,11...$
Starting number:$83      83,10,06,11,05,10...$
Starting number:$63      63,08,13,07,12,06,11,05,10,06... $
On my "Follow the Numbers", most of my numbers had a pattern of $08,13,07,12,06,11,05,10,06.$
 

Well done Karin, I like this very much, others of you could try your own rules.


 

You may also like

Triple Cubes

This challenge involves eight three-cube models made from interlocking cubes. Investigate different ways of putting the models together then compare your constructions.

Inky Cube

This cube has ink on each face which leaves marks on paper as it is rolled. Can you work out what is on each face and the route it has taken?

The Car That Passes

What statements can you make about the car that passes the school gates at 11am on Monday? How will you come up with statements and test your ideas?

  • Tech help
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Sign up to our newsletter
  • Twitter X logo

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.

University of Cambridge logo NRICH logo