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Cylinder Cutting

Age 7 to 11
Challenge Level Yellow starYellow starYellow star
  • Problem
  • Getting Started
  • Teachers' Resources

Why do this problem?

This activity offers a starting point that can lead to a high variety of avenues to pursue.

Possible approach

Present the pupil with a kitchen roll (or similar) tube and introduce the activity as suggested.  If the learner is not accustomed to exploring mathematically, you might consider encouraging them to look at all the angles involved (both of the required shape and the pieces cut off the $A4$). If s/he still needs more prompting then you might consider suggesting they explore these angles further.
 
There are further suggestions in the hints.

Key questions

Tell me what you have so far.
Which direction do you want to go in now?

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Which Solid?

This task develops spatial reasoning skills. By framing and asking questions a member of the team has to find out what mathematical object they have chosen.

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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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